2026 Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai, March 13-15

[matt_b]

Gap still looks around 8 tenths which is no suprise given that its a back to back race, dont fall for George trolling everyone post every session, they got this easy for now.

[CHT]

Considering them as a new team and new engine manufacturer, Audi does look very impressive.

[upsidedowntoast]

Unless Red Bull is holding back massively, in the race sim, they look 2.5 to 3 seconds away from Mercedes. McLaren is close and on a similar pace to Mercedes. Ferrari didn't attempt any long run.

2.5-3s off is Cadillac pace. That can't possibly be right. They were probably just testing things.

[search]

Red Bull always takes race fuel, most others do a sprint simulation. With the smaller tanks now, that should make about a 1.8s difference on this track.

Here are all the longruns from FP1. Those in italic didn't pit to refuel but only simulated a race mode



edit: I should have deleted Norris' first lap, I guess. Just do the math yourself

[kamalrai27]

Did anyone notice any improvement from the Aston Martin in FP1 ?

[Vettel165]

Season over. Its 2014 again.

[FittingMechanics]

Season over. Its 2014 again.

We'll continue watching.

[CHT]

Season over. Its 2014 again.

how much of this over is due to PU?

[Ben1980]

Cars taking control of regulations happens all the time. 2011/12/13 was smashed by Vettell and RB, then came Merc until the final year, then back to RB until the final year.

Cars being stand outside, happens no matter the regulations.

[renault rs26]

Considering them as a new team and new engine manufacturer, Audi does look very impressive.

They aren't a new team. And all engines are mostly new.

[SoulPancake13]

Haas might genuinely be quicker than Red Bull this weekend

[FittingMechanics]

F1 Director is really really struggling to figure out who is on a hot lap and who is not. We were following Piastri on an obvious warmup lap with two other cars doing hot laps at the same time.

Times shown on the screen are often showing warmup laps. They really need to figure that out.

[search]

was Norris really on a hot lap when blocked by Antonelli, or are they starting to play some dirty tricks already?

[isullivan]

Doesn't look good for RB, competing with Audi, who would have expected that.

[Ben1980]

Do we really have hot laps now? The battery charges so quick, then can go faster lap after lap, if tyres are OK.

Saw Colapinto do it in Australia