The opening practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix was heavily disrupted by the bad weather in Shanghai on Friday.

Following a deluge of overnight rain, the one-and-a-half-hour session was halted after just four minutes with the medical helicopter unable to land at the designated hospital due to the foggy conditions.

The session re-started with a little more than 40 minutes to go, but there was only a smattering of on-track activity with six drivers - including championship protagonists Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel - not bothering to post a competitive lap.

Moments later the red flags were out again - after the local airport was closed due to the worsening conditions - before the session was eventually abandoned five minutes before it was due to end.

During the brief running, Nico Hulkenberg beached his Renault in the gravel at turn two, while there were also spins for the Haas pair of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen posted the fastest lap in the damp conditions ahead of the Williams duo of Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll.

The second practice session was due to get under way at 1400 local time, but a delay was announced as fog continued to prevent the medical helicopter from taking off.

Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Chinese Grand Prix Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Hamilton crosses the finish line to take victory in the Chinese Grand Prix Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Max Verstappen was able to hold off Daniel Ricciardo in a late intra-Red Bull challenge Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Hamilton controlled the race form the front as he led every lap Reuters Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Kimi Raikkonen struggled as he was passed by Vettel, Verstappen and Ricciardo Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Max Verstappen lit up Shanghai by passing nine cars on the first lap of the Chinese Grand Prix EPA Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Valterri Bottas had to fight back through the field after spinning behind the safety car Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton took the 54th Grand Prix victory of his career Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Antonio Giovinazzi lost control of his Sauber on the start-finish straight Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Anonio Giovinazzi climbs out of his Sauber after crashing early on Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Lance Stroll was too overeager on the opening lap and paid the price Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel saw his shot at Lewis Hamilton robbed by the safety car Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Chinese Grand Prix The start of the Chinese Grand Prix saw the rare sight of a standing grid in wet conditions Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Saturday qualifying Hamilton celebrates after putting his Mercedes on pole position AFP Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Saturday qualifying Hamilton qualified for the second Grand Prix in succession. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday second practice Lewis Hamilton took to the track to sign caps and throw them to fans after practice was cancelled Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday second practice Lewis Hamilton tweeted his ideas for how Formula One could be improved through a shorter weekend Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Max Verstappen set the fastest time in first practice. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Lewis Hamilton chose not to set a time despite taking to the track. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Fernando Alonso ended the session in seventh place for McLaren. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Felipe Massa navigates his way through the rain. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Nico Hulkenberg spun out of first practice. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Max Verstappen was more then 1.5 seconds quicker than any other driver in first practice. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Stoffel Vandoorne wait to leave the pits. Getty Chinese Grand Prix 2017 in pictures Friday First Practice Felipe Massa sits and waits on the Williams pit wall as the rain continues to fall. Getty

Final Times after First Practice:

1 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1min 50.491secs

2 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:52.086

3 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:52.507

4 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:52.840

5 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:53.039

6 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:53.314

7 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren 1:53.520

8 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:54.038

9 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:54.664

10 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:55.104

11 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:55.608

12 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren 1:57.445

13 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 2:15.138

14 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Sauber-Ferrari 2:15.281

15 Jolyon Palmer (Gbr) Renault No Time

16 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari No Time

17 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari No Time

18 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India No Time

19 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India No Time