Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set the pace in a disrupted opening practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix, which featured limited running due to two red flags and wet conditions.
A flurry of laps took place early in FP1 before poor visibility – denying the medical helicopter from operating – caused a red flag that lasted 40 minutes.
The action resumed with half of the session remaining but running was again stopped for the same reason with just over 20 minutes left on the clock, and was not restarted.
During the on-track action between the two red flags, Verstappen was able to set the quickest time on intermediate tyres with a 1:50.491.
Times were quickly tumbling before the session was stopped. Williams racers Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll were second and third, with Carlos Sainz Jr. fourth.
Romain Grosjean was one of several drivers to spin early on and was fifth, ahead of Daniil Kvyat and Fernando Alonso – whose McLaren was sporting a new T-wing.
Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen (another driver to suffer a few off-track excursions) completed the top 10.
Nico Hulkenberg was 11th for Renault but beached his car in the gravel at Turn 3, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car just before the second red flag.
Stoffel Vandoorne was next up, with Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson and Antonio Giovinazi – replacing Pascal Wehrlein – well off the pace in the limited running.
Six drivers, including the two Ferraris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, failed to complete timed laps.
