Palmer's little offpublished at 03:31 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Ben Edwards
BBC F1 commentator
"That's where Pastor Maldonado went off last year whilst adjusting the switches on his steering wheel."
Summary
Hamilton fastest in first and second practice
Man arrested after running across track to enter Ferrari garage
Massa and Kvyat crash, Vettel spins
Jenson Button's 2011 Canadian GP win voted 'most surprising'
Palmer's little offpublished at 03:31 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Postpublished at 03:30 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Lotus on Twitter: Very thorough drive from Jolyon. We can confirm 'practicing doughnuts' is on the work sheet.
Image source, LotusPalmer off trackpublished at 03:21 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Jolyon Palmer is testing the limits of the Lotus and has had a small moment on the exit of turn eight, the Briton pushing too hard and spinning off the black stuff.
He quickly gathers it up and is back on his way.
Where's the drivers?published at 03:17 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Toro Rosso on Twitter: Moooooorning!!! Helmets waiting... Just need our drivers now. #FP1 about to start here in Shanghai! Who's watching!?
Image source, Toro RossoFirst time on the boardpublished at 03:16 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Nico Rosberg sets the first time of the weekend, a 1:41.052 the early marker in a Mercedes that has been liberally showering the circuit in sparks from its titanium skid plate in these first few laps.
Replay gold for the TV director.
Will weather swing advantage back to Merc?published at 03:12 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
We're expecting a largely dry few days in Shanghai although there is the chance of a bit of rain later on Sunday.
Forecasters currently expect all the track sessions to remain dry, with any showers most likely arriving after the race.
Crucially there will be much lower ambient and track temperatures compared with Sepang last time out. We're expecting figures around 16-20C, with track temps in the mid 30s C.
Watch the weekend forecast here.
'We are not stressed' - Hamiltonpublished at 03:04 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer"Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton seems pretty convinced he could have won in Malaysia had things not worked out the way they did.
"The world champion felt that he had he not missed much of Friday practice with an engine problem, he might have learned enough about tyre usage and set-up for Mercedes to have approached the race differently. And he is holding to his view that even in the circumstances they had, stopping under the safety car was a mistake, because it lost him the best part of 10 seconds to Sebastian Vettel that he never really got back.
"'It wasn't the best weekend for us,' Hamilton said. 'There were lots of things we could have done better.'
"He admitted, though, that 'it was true pace Ferrari had. We'll get a better understanding here. We are not stressed and I think we will be stronger this weekend.'"
Image source, EPAGreen lightpublished at 03:01 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
First practice for the Chinese Grand Prix is under way.
Palmer makes F1 race weekend debutpublished at 02:59 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
There's a new Brit on the block this weekend with Jolyon Palmer in the cockpit of the Lotus for first practice.
Palmer, 24, won last season's GP2 title to become the first Briton to do since Lewis Hamilton in 2006.
He is the son of former F1 driver and BBC commentator Jonathan Palmer, who made 82 grand prix starts between 1983 and 1989.
Image source, AFPChinese Grand Prix - all you need to knowpublished at 02:56 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Just ahead of the drivers hitting the track, a quick reminder of our facts and stats feature, which you can find here.
Are Ferrari genuine contenders?published at 02:53 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer"The Chinese Grand Prix could be a seminal race in this 2015 Formula 1 season.
"After Mercedes crushed the field in the opener in Australia, Sebastian Vettel's victory in Malaysia two weeks ago came as a huge surprise.
"But was it a unique combination of circumstances that played into Ferrari's hands, or will they be able to challenge Mercedes all season?
"The much cooler conditions of Shanghai could provide something of an answer."
Image source, EPAWill history repeat?published at 02:49 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Twelve months ago Mercedes enjoyed a one-two finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, with pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton winning ahead of Nico Rosberg, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso third.
The two Mercedes drivers can expect to be on the podium again this weekend - and can expect a Ferrari to once again be snapping at their heels after Sebastian Vettel showed the Scuderia's pace with a fine win in Sepang last time out.
It should be fascinating to see how the Mercedes-Ferrari battle unfolds over the next few days.
A feast of sportpublished at 02:45 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
There's a whole lotta sport going on this weekend, with major events in the world of golf, football, rowing and horse racing.
But, as you're reading this, I suspect for many of you the main draw will be events in Shanghai.
Good morningpublished at 02:39 British Summer Time 10 April 2015
Good morning and welcome along to our live text commentary of first practice ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Image source, AP