The 2026 Formula 1 season is about to have its first sprint race of the year during the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, and some surprises have already emerged during the one and only practice session on Friday.
In FP1, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli ended the session in a Mercedes 1-2, at a significant margin ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the McLaren cars. Ferrari was just behind, with Charles Leclerc leading Lewis Hamilton.
