Fri Mar 21 07:40:00 UTC 2025: ## McLaren’s Norris Tops Timesheet in Thrilling Chinese Grand Prix Practice

**Shanghai, China** – Lando Norris of McLaren set the fastest time in Friday’s practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by a margin of 0.454 seconds. The session, the only practice before sprint qualifying, saw Norris demonstrate strong pace despite a minor off-track excursion at Turn One. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, secured third place despite a gravel trap visit at the final corner.

Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) finished fourth, followed by George Russell (Mercedes), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), Alex Albon (Williams), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin). World champion Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, aborted a potentially faster lap and ended the session in 16th, significantly behind his teammate Liam Lawson. However, sector times indicated Verstappen could have challenged Norris for the top spot.

The freshly resurfaced Shanghai track saw several drivers experience off-track moments, including Norris and Leclerc, but no major incidents apart from a brief red flag period to recover Jack Doohan’s stricken Alpine. Sprint qualifying is set to begin at 07:30 UK time, determining the grid for Saturday’s sprint race, followed by the main grand prix qualifying session.

Read More