P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren’s Lando Norris fronted a wild rain-hit Sprint Qualifying session at Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix on Friday. China is
China is hosting the first Formula 1 Sprint of the season, with an amended schedule for 2024 resulting in sprint qualifying now taking the place of second practice in the usual timetable, and the Sprint Race opening Saturday’s track activity. Rain began to fall during SQ2 at the Shanghai International Circuit, leaving SQ3 taking place in wet conditions, with drivers struggling for grip throughout the session. Norris set a time of 1:57.940s, which was briefly in doubt, as stewards quickly clarified the situation surrounding track limits, after Norris went off at Turn 16 on his preceding lap. Norris’ time was ultimately reinstated, leaving the McLaren driver 1.3s clear of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at the front of the field, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third. World Champion Max Verstappen had a scruffy session as he wound up fourth.
