George Russell leads Mercedes one-two in 2026 Chinese GP practice

George Russell led a commanding Mercedes one-two in the sole practice session for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, signaling a potentially ominous return to form for the Silver Arrows. Teammate Kimi Antonelli followed closely in second, with the pair finishing over half a second clear of the nearest challenger, Lando Norris's McLaren. The session raised eyebrows as reigning champion Max Verstappen could only manage eighth for Red Bull.

Why it matters:

A dominant practice performance by Mercedes, especially with such a significant gap to their rivals, suggests their 2026 development program may be hitting its stride at a critical point in the season. If this pace translates to qualifying and the race, it could disrupt the established competitive order and signal a major shift in the championship battle, putting immediate pressure on teams like Red Bull and Ferrari.

The details:

• Mercedes Dominance: George Russell set the benchmark with a time of 1:32.741, just 0.120s ahead of rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli. Their advantage over third-placed Lando Norris was more than half a second.
• Midfield Battle: Norris led a tight train of cars, with his McLaren teammate, followed by the two Ferraris, filling positions three through six. Lewis Hamilton finished at the tail of this group in sixth.
  • Hamilton's lap time, however, was set on soft tires that were already four laps old, whereas most drivers ahead set their best times on fresh, first-lap soft tire runs. This indicates his true single-lap pace may be closer to the front.
• Red Bull Struggle: In a surprising turn, Max Verstappen and Red Bull appeared off the pace, with the Dutchman ending the session in a distant eighth place. The cause—whether it was car setup, engine modes, or a genuine lack of pace—will be the key question heading into qualifying.

What's next:

All eyes will be on whether Mercedes can convert this practice promise into a genuine qualifying threat. The single practice session leaves little time for rivals to find answers, potentially giving Mercedes a strategic advantage. The true picture will emerge in qualifying, where fuel loads, engine modes, and tire preparation become critical. Verstappen and Red Bull's response to this unexpected challenge will be equally crucial to watch.