Stroll precedes Verstappen in free practice in Shanghai. Ferrari distant, but saving the tires

Not an easy session to read for Ferrari. It ends in a sign of uncertainty the only free practice valid for the Chinese GP, the fifth round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship as well as the first seasonal event in which the Sprint Race will be staged. In fact, on the Shanghai circuit the Maranello team operated differently than the competitionRed Bull first and foremost, using a single set of red tyres.

After entering the track last compared to the main protagonists, the house of the Prancing Horse has gave good signals until mid-sessionwhen Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz they took first and second place respectively, overtaking the Red Bull, on the track with yellow tyres. However, Ferrari, which concentrated on finding the perfect setup for qualifying, did not then make any other changes, thus suffering the return of its direct rivals.

Leclerc he therefore finished the segment al thirteenth place (+1,788), while Carlos Sainz fourteenth (1,982). The Aston Martin driver took the lead instead Lance Stroll who, in the final minutes, found the right pace, stopping the time at 1:36.302, ahead of the McLaren of Oscar Piastrisecond at +0.327, e Max Verstappenwho changed the tire from yellow to red, but was unable to improve on the last flying lap.

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Fourth position then Sergio Perez with +0.388 ahead of Nico Hulkenberg (+0.799) e Kevin Magnussen (+0.816). They therefore close the top 10 Or with (+0.927), Albon (+0.987), Ricciardo (+0.936) e Bottas (+1,228).

Finally, a very complicated session for the Mercedes Russell and Hamilton, with both experiencing stability problems so much so that they placed seventeenth and eighteenth. Not good too Fernando Alonso, nineteenth. While Lando Norris, sixteenth, seems to have mostly hidden himself, as he was called back to the pits just when he was making his best lap. The eagerly awaited qualifying sessions for the Sprint Race will start at 9.30am.

THE SESSION RANKING

1 Lance STROLL1:36.302 3
2 Oscar PLATES+0.327 5
3 Max VERSTAPPEN+0.358 4
4 Sergio PEREZ+0.388 4
5 Nico HULKENBERG+0.799 3
6 Kevin MAGNUSSEN+0.816 3
7 Esteban OCON+0.911 3
8 Alexander ALBON+0.927 4
9 Daniel RICCIARDO+0.936 3
10 Valtteri BOTTAS+1,228 3
11 Guanyu ZHOU +1.324 3
12 Yuki TSUNODA+1,704 3
13 Charles LECLERC+1,788 3
14 Carlos SAINZ+1,982 3
15 Logan SARGEANT+1,984 5
16 Lando NORRIS+2,328 4
17 George RUSSELL+2,504 3
18 Lewis HAMILTON+2,537 6
19 Fernando ALONSO+2,634 3
20 Pierre GASLY+2,974