Fernando Alonso was quickest during the first practice session but Ferrari team mate Kimi Raikkonen was at the foot of the results table after failing to set a time.
While new team principal Marco Mattiacci looked on, last year’s re winner ended the session four tenths of a second quicker than Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg.
First practice ran to a now-familiar pattern, with a busy half-hour of running to begin with before the drivers had to give back their first set of medium compound tyres.
Technical problems kept three drivers from setting times initially: Ferrari were working on a steering fault on Raikkonen’s car, a fuel system problem confined Jules Bianchi to his garage to begin with and Esteban Gutierrez and a clutch problem on his Sauber.
The latter pair eventually made it out onto the track but Raikkonen was unable to set a time.
It wasn’t entirely straightforward for those who did make it onto the track. Pastor Maldonado swerved off-track at turn and nine and spun his Lotus, but was able to continue.
Daniil Kvyat also went off the track at turn one. The Toro Rosso driver understeered wide and spun into a gravel trap, but was able to get going again.
The Mercedes of Nico Rosberg headed the times as usual after the first half-hour, after which Alonso took to the top of the times in his Ferrari.
Daniel Ricciardo was third-fastest for Red Bull ahead of a trio of Mercedes-powered cars. Lewis Hamilton, however, had an early end to his session following a technical problem.
2014 Chinese Grand Prix
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Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo
HawkAussie (@hawkaussie)
18th April 2014, 4:44
I had to laugh with that title :)
Corrado (@)
18th April 2014, 4:47
Yeeeeeeeah, Alonso for the WIN ! I’d like to thank chinese people for finding the horse Ferrari was missing ! :D
Becken Lima (@becken-lima)
18th April 2014, 4:48
Wow, Ferrari 0.4s faster than Mercedes. That dude Mattiacci is already doing a fantastic job!!
:D
OEL F1 (@oel-f1)
18th April 2014, 14:15
It’s his sunglasses that bring 2 seconds to the car :D
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th April 2014, 4:57
That is a Ferrari papering over the cracks time if I have ever seen one. 1 second faster than everyone (for most of the session) while the other car can’t make it out on Mattiacci’s first day in the job. Can’t help but feel this weekend will be a struggle for the Maranello on the long straights, especially with 2 DRS zones in 3 corners!
bull mello (@bullmello)
18th April 2014, 5:00
Interesting that GdvG turned a better lap than 8 other drivers in this session.
bull mello (@bullmello)
18th April 2014, 5:01
Actually, it is “GvdG”
usukpam
18th April 2014, 5:06
At the moment F1 can’t be boring again since Ferrari has 0.4sec over the Mercedes.
Abnash (@abnash)
18th April 2014, 6:33
dont worry, by qualifying ‘everyone’ will be so bored and screaming for changes
troutcor
18th April 2014, 5:23
Turns out that extra weight on the new car was Domenicali!
Toxic
18th April 2014, 5:45
Maldonado’s going off the track was hilarious!
celler (@celler)
18th April 2014, 6:28
he is going to blame the Pirelli signs “I guess they didn’t see me as they pushed me off the track”
Toxic
18th April 2014, 6:33
Or that “the left turns should be removed as they’re stopping the drivers from going right”.
mantresx (@mantresx)
18th April 2014, 6:54
Even more hilarious was hearing the Latin american commentators trying to justify Pastor’s spin.
But seriously, I thought looking at the steering wheel was like glancing at the rear view mirror, it shouldn’t be that distracting. It does explain a lot if Maldonado is overwhelmed by just adjusting a few knobs at such a low speed.
Graham (@guitargraham)
18th April 2014, 10:11
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Wesley (@)
18th April 2014, 22:06
Very fitting :)
MarkM (@mpmark)
18th April 2014, 15:52
Is it me or does ferrari’s front wing really look outdated compared to the others who have very aggressive turning vains and lairs (ie: Merc, Force India).
I understand that they may be going for strait line speed but they don’t even have that to brag about. Clearly they can see that Merc and Force India’s totally different wing is more effective so why do they continue to not alter this side? And I know Ferrari would be doing a sin if they even showed that they were copying someone else so pride wins over failure it seems. I may be seeing this as a spectator but if someone could explain that would be great…