McLaren Dominates First Practice Session at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, Norris Leads Leclerc and Piastri

The 2025 Formula 1 season is already shaping up to be a thrilling one, and the opening rounds have delivered plenty of drama. After a challenging but exciting Australian Grand Prix, teams headed to China, where the Shanghai International Circuit awaited. For many, the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix marks the first real test in the Sprint format of the season.

On March 21, the action kicked off with Free Practice 1 (FP1), the only practice session before the Sprint Qualifying event. The session was crucial, as it allowed teams and drivers to refine their setups, assess tyre strategies, and get a feel for the newly resurfaced track. As expected, the session was packed with high-speed action, but it was McLaren’s Lando Norris who emerged as the fastest, leading the way ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and his teammate Oscar Piastri.

With so much on the line, FP1 was an intense, fast-paced practice session. Drivers pushed their machines to the limits, battling both the evolving track conditions and their own nerves as they aimed for the perfect lap. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments and standout performances from the session that set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling race weekend.

The Importance of FP1 in the Sprint Format

This year, the Chinese Grand Prix was the first event to feature the Sprint format, which adds a new layer of excitement to the weekend. Unlike traditional race weekends, the Sprint format involves a 100-kilometre race on Saturday afternoon, with qualifying taking place before the race and the main Grand Prix itself on Sunday. This added complexity means that Free Practice 1 is even more crucial, as teams need to fine-tune their cars for both qualifying and the sprint race in a compressed timeframe.

For the drivers, this means every lap in FP1 is vital. With limited time to adjust setups, gather data, and test strategies, every moment on track counts. This pressure ensures that FP1 is not just a warm-up, but an essential session to dial in the cars and gain a competitive edge for the remainder of the weekend.

Norris Sets the Pace

McLaren’s Lando Norris showed exceptional skill in FP1, setting the fastest time of 1:31.504. His performance in the session proved that McLaren’s improvements from last season were not just talk. Norris, who has been one of the most consistent drivers over the past few seasons, was in perfect sync with the McLaren MCL39, and he quickly adapted to the evolving track conditions.

What stood out in Norris’ lap was his ability to extract the maximum from the car on the freshly resurfaced Shanghai circuit. As the track grip improved, Norris found his rhythm, and his performance showed that McLaren had their eyes set on a podium finish. His dominance in FP1 showed that he was in it for the long haul, and his early form left fans eager to see if McLaren could continue to perform at the front.

Close Battle for Second

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri were both in hot pursuit of Norris. Leclerc, one of Ferrari’s brightest stars, managed to secure second place with a time just 0.454 seconds behind Norris. Leclerc’s pace was solid, and despite a spin through Turn 3, he demonstrated resilience and composure as he worked through the session.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s rising star, slotted into third place, just 0.649 seconds off the lead. Piastri’s strong performance continues to prove that McLaren’s investment in their driver lineup is paying off. His early form in the session reinforced his potential as one of the future stars of Formula 1.

The close times between Norris, Leclerc, and Piastri suggest that the McLaren-Ferrari battle for supremacy will be a highlight of the weekend. However, with the unpredictable nature of F1, anything can happen.

Issues for Other Drivers

While the top three drivers were battling it out at the front, others encountered problems. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the defending World Champion, was caught out in the session, finishing 16th. He aborted his lap on soft tyres and failed to post a representative time. His struggles in FP1 didn’t faze him, but it served as a reminder that no driver is immune to issues in the unpredictable world of Formula 1.

Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s test driver, and Alex Albon in the Williams also had their own issues during FP1. Lawson went off track early in the session, while Albon reported an issue with something “loose” around the pedals of his FW47. While these incidents were minor, they highlighted the challenges drivers face as they push their cars to the limit.

Meanwhile, the session was briefly interrupted by a red flag when Jack Doohan of Alpine had to pull off the track due to a power steering issue. This disrupted the flow of the session but allowed teams to make quick adjustments and ensure their cars were ready for the final runs on soft tyres.

Other Notable Performances

Despite the red flag, there were some eye-catching performances in the midfield. Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Kick Sauber, managed to secure sixth place, a remarkable result considering the fierce competition in Formula 1. The top 10 also saw performances from established stars such as Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Fernando Alonso, each of whom will be looking to capitalize on the improved track conditions in later sessions.

However, the session ended on a high for McLaren, with Norris taking P1 and showing that they are a team to be reckoned with in the early part of the 2025 season.

Conclusion

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix got off to a thrilling start in FP1, with McLaren’s Lando Norris leading the way ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and teammate Oscar Piastri. The Shanghai International Circuit, with its resurfaced track, provided an excellent test for the drivers as they adjusted their cars and fine-tuned their strategies for the Sprint Qualifying event later in the day.

With the Sprint format adding another level of intensity to the weekend, all eyes will be on the McLaren-Ferrari battle for supremacy. While Norris set the pace, Leclerc and Piastri showed that they will be serious contenders as the weekend unfolds. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and others in the midfield will be looking to bounce back and make up for lost time.

As the teams move into Sprint Qualifying and the main race, the stage is set for a highly competitive and unpredictable weekend of Formula 1 action. With the stakes higher than ever in the 2025 season, one thing is clear: the Chinese Grand Prix is shaping up to be an exciting chapter in the F1 story.

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on the latest Formula 1 action. For a deeper dive into the strategies behind successful sports events, check out our article on the secrets of creating winning Formula 1 teams and strategies.