China – Free Practice 1: Alonso on top, Räikkönen stuck in the pits

During the first half-hour, it is Kevin Magnussen and his MP4-29 who emerge first from the pits, with a livery still devoid of a title sponsor. Right from the start of the session, Kimi Räikkönen is reported late by Ferrari: his F14-T is encountering an issue, and the Finn cannot drive at the start of the session. A minor problem also delays the start for Gutierrez’s Sauber. At Williams, Felipe Nasr takes the place of Valtteri Bottas.

At Lotus, a small issue for Pastor Maldonado who goes off-track: after replay, the Venezuelan was simply not looking at the track, performing operations on his steering wheel. Felipe Massa is the first driver to set a timed lap at 1:42.725. The cool temperatures are causing drivers to struggle in warming up their tires, especially since Pirelli has asked them to take time to bring them up to temperature. As usual now, it’s a Mercedes that clocks the fastest time: Nico Rosberg with 1:41.063. The German leads Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, with the Spaniard being the only non-Mercedes-powered driver in the top six positions.

After 30 minutes, the drivers changed tires, with those used for the first half hour of free practice 1 needing to be returned to Pirelli. Only Esteban Gutierrez, Jules Bianchi, and Kimi Räikkönen did not set a timed lap, while Romain Grosjean returned to the track. The Frenchman improved his personal time but visibly suffered from the handling of his car. Daniil Kvyat made a small mistake, going off track in the first corner, which caused a spin. The Russian managed to get back on track, while Jean-Eric Vergne set the third-fastest time, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso improves the best time to 1:39.783, while both Mercedes drivers are in the pits. Daniel Ricciardo improves to 1:40.772, placing him between Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg, the latter still not having set a time with a second set of tires.

During the last half-hour, all the drivers return to the pits after their second stint, while work is being done on the floor of the Red Bull. Daniil Kvyat breaks the silence on track with a practice start. The Toro Rosso driver will be imitated by his predecessor Daniel Ricciardo. The drivers are already working on long stints, threatened by the rain expected during Saturday. After 2 laps, Nico Rosberg sets the second-fastest time, without managing to go under the 1:40 mark, while Jules Bianchi should be able to take the track for a few kilometers. Wing change at Ferrari, while Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel make mistakes without consequence.

New small mistake by Daniil Kvyat who spins at turn 14 before coming into the pits. In a few laps, Jules Bianchi sets the 18th fastest time, ahead of his teammate.

It is Fernando Alonso who sets the fastest time in this free practice session. The Spaniard is ahead of Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Jenson Button, and Nico Hülkenberg.