F1 Results Today: Track record under threat but Verstappen languishes

Sebastian Vettel's long-standing track record is at risk at the Chinese Grand Prix, with McLaren looking mightily fast once again in Shanghai.

Max Verstappen didn't follow up his second place finish last weekend with the greatest session, abandoning his one run on soft tyres to sit just 16th on the timing boards.

A technical issue for Jack Doohan saw his car left by the side of the track, red flagging the session, which left teams with little time to do their qualifying simulations at the end of the hour's running.

Lando Norris set a lightning fast time on his run, nearly half a second faster than any of his rivals and just four tenths off Vettel's record time set in qualifying in 2018.

The first few laps saw a couple of drivers take little trips into the gravel, with Alex Albon and Liam Lawson both going off, but the resurfaced track in Shanghai performed much better than expected.

Drivers ended up lapping a several seconds a lap faster than in 2024, with Yuki Tsunoda coming over team radio to praise the improved grip compared to the old surface.

The biggest moment of the session came from Charles Leclerc, who spun his Ferrari 180 degrees as he lost traction in the middle of Turn 2 but managed to keep it out of the wall.

F1 FP1 Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2025

1. Lando Norris [McLaren] - 1:31.504sec
2. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] - +0.454sec
3. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] - +0.649sec
4. Lewis Hamilton [Ferrari] - +0.691sec
5. George Russell [Mercedes] - +0.873sec
6. Nico Hulkenberg [Kick Sauber] - +1.003sec
7. Alex Albon [Williams] - +1.183sec
8. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] - +1.262sec
9. Kimi Antonelli [Mercedes] - +1.370sec
10. Yuki Tsunoda [Racing Bulls] - +1.430sec
11. Oliver Bearman [Haas] - +1.463sec
12. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] - +1.480sec
13. Esteban Ocon [Haas] - +1.552sec
14. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] - +1.619sec
15. Carlos Sainz [Williams] - +1.641sec
16. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - +1.780sec
17. Isack Hadjar [Racing Bulls] - +1.881sec
18. Liam Lawson [Red Bull] - +2.127sec
19. Gabriel Bortoleto [Kick Sauber] - +2.318sec
20. Jack Doohan [Alpine] - +2.419sec

Who is the current F1 world champion?

Max Verstappen is the reigning F1 champion, won his fourth drivers' championship last year.

Is there F1 today?

Yes, sprint qualifying will take place later on Friday, 21 March at 3:30am ET.

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