Lewis Hamilton led the first training session in China, setting the best time of 1: 33.999. The Briton starts the weekend with the intention of winning his first season victory after Sebastian Vettel's main rival, Australia and Bahrain.
Things did not go smoothly for Hamilton, who turned with his Mercedes on the 11th turn just 20 minutes after the start. His teammate, Walter Botas, finished third on more than four tenths.
There was a slight scuffing during the training that had not swept through the rain. None of the pilots went to intermedia, but the chance to rain today and tomorrow remains.
Kimi Raikkonen ranks second in a sandwich between the two Mercedes. The Ferrari driver will seek compensation for his unpleasant drop last week. Fourth and Fifth were Red Bull, with Daniel Ricardo being faster than Max Verstappen. The Dutchman also had problems on the track after entering the gravel after the last turn. Max started a quick lap but lost grip and dropped the rear of the car.
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The interim leader of the Vettel championship was in sixth position, ahead of Kevin Magnusen with Haas, who last weekend in Bahrain recorded his best personal score since 2014. Carlos Sainz was eighth for Renault, ahead of Romen Grogan and Nico Hulkenberg, who closed the top 10.
Pier Gulsley, who shone in Bahrain, now ranks 11th in front of Fernando Alonso. Force India's duo was 13th and 14th, with Perez being faster than Okon.