Chinese GP: Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap & Times

CHINESE GRAND PRIX - FREE PRACTICE #1

A good start to the race weekend with the news that Fernando Alonso had been cleared to compete in the first practice session. After the session, he went a series of tests before he was confirmed to take part in the rest of the race weekend. Both cars finished in the top 15 at the end of this session as well.

    This session had two red flags due to debris being on track from different tyre accidents. The first happened when Massa's rear-left tyre came off the rim, causing him to slide across the track and damage the car. It later happened again, just moments before Kevin Magnussen has a suspension issue that lead to a puncture of his rear-left tyre as well.

    Esteban Gutierrez had to sit out this session due to an electrical issue. Magnussen and Massa did not set times as well due to their issues with the tyres earlier on, which caused damage to both cars. Nasr had a water-system issue late in the session and it was reported that there might be an engine issue for Nico Rosberg.

Mercedes topped the session, despite both drivers having some issues with the cars. Hamilton spun twice in the session at turn 11 and reported something possibly wrong with the car. 

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:38.037 / Mercedes-Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:38.183 / Mercedes-Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel - 1:38.665 / Ferrari-Ferrari
4. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:39.061 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER
5. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:39.155 / Ferrari-Ferrari
6. Daniil Kvyat - 1:39.625 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER
7. Carlos Sainz - 1:39.676 / Toro Rosso-Ferrari
8. Jenson Button - 1:39.974 / McLaren-Honda
9. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:40.169 / Force India-Mercedes
10. Max Verstappen - 1:40.232 / Toro Rosso-Ferrari
11. Sergio Perez - 1:40.347 / Force India-Mercedes
12. Fernando Alonso - 1:40.538 / McLaren-Honda
13. Valtteri Bottas - 1:40.828 / Williams-Mercedes
14. Romain Grosjean - 1:41.358 / Haas-Ferrari
15. Marcus Ericsson - 1:41.393 / Sauber-Ferrari
16. Rio Haryanto - 1:41.614 / Manor-Mercedes
17. Jolyon Palmer - 1:41.816 / Renault-Renault
18. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:42.908 / Manor-Mercedes
19. Felipe Nasr - 1:42.980 / Sauber-Ferrari
20. Kevin Magnussen / NO TIME SET / Renault-Renault
21. Esteban Gutierrez / NO TIME SET / Haas-Ferrari
22. Felipe Massa / NO TIME SET / Williams-Mercedes

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk
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