Chinese Grand Prix FP1: Stroll sets the pace, Zhou Guanyu finishes 11th with a solid performance!

In the first practice session of the Chinese F1 Grand Prix, Aston Martin’s Stroll astonished with a fastest lap time of 1:36.302, demonstrating his exceptional driving skills and the car’s performance. He was followed by McLaren’s Piastri and Red Bull’s Verstappen, securing second and third positions respectively. Chinese local driver Zhou Guanyu showcased a commendable performance, achieving an impressive 11th place with his consistent driving technique.

Notably, Zhou, as the home driver, became the first to leave the pit lane at the start of the session, making him the first Chinese F1 driver to compete in China, injecting fresh energy into the country’s motorsports scene.

However, the session was not without challenges. During the practice, a fire broke out on the grass adjacent to the track, leading the race organizers to briefly display the red flag to halt the action. Once the fire was under control, drivers faced the challenge of just over half an hour left in the session.

With the Chinese GP returning after a five-year absence, the circuit had undergone modifications, presenting a new challenge for the drivers. Several drivers, due to unfamiliarity with the track conditions, ran off the track, including McLaren’s Norris, who ended up in the gravel trap.

As the session progressed, Ferrari’s drivers achieved notable times on soft tires, with Leclerc briefly topping the timesheets. Later, the drivers began long runs to better adapt to the track and their cars.

During pit stops, some drivers encountered minor issues. Both Piastri from McLaren and Alonso from Aston Martin missed their braking points, venturing into the run-off areas without causing accidents.

With ten minutes remaining in FP1, Williams’ Albon, on fresh soft tires, set a new fastest lap, indicating improving track conditions. His helmet, adorned with prominent panda eyes, drew attention as a special design for the Chinese GP.

In the final stages, drivers switched to soft tires for one last push. Zhou Guanyu improved his time crucially, clocking 1:37.626, right behind Verstappen.

In the dying moments, Aston Martin’s Russell stunned with a lap time of 1:36.302, snatching the top spot. Piastri and Verstappen settled for second and third, respectively.

Finally, let’s take a look at the bottom ten finishers in FP1. Alongside Zhou, there were Yuki Tsunoda, Leclerc, Sainz, Sargeant, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Alonso, and Gasly, all displaying promising abilities and potential. This first practice laid a solid foundation for the upcoming races, and we can expect more thrilling performances from these drivers.