Lewis Hamilton has won the Chinese Grand Prix after leading every lap of the race. The Brit made a perfect start in changeable conditions and controlled the pace all race long to the chequered flag. He finished ahead of Sebastian Vettel, as both drivers are now level on top of the championship standings with 43 points. Max Verstappen also produced a special drive to take Red Bull's first podium of the year.
Plenty of drivers made some good starts, such as Max Verstappen who climbed multiple positions. Daniel Ricciardo got by Kimi Raikkonen while Sebastian Vettel was put under a spot of pressure from Valtteri Bottas, but held on around the first few corners.
There was a debate on what tyre to start the race on, with all but one driver opting for the intermediate compound. Carlos Sainz took his chances on the drying track and fitted the supersoft tyre for the start, however it proved to be a touch too early, and the Spaniard fell down to the back of the field.
Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll had a coming together at the end of sector two, which resulted in Stroll retiring from the race. The stewards looked at it and deemed it a racing incident and no penalty was handed to either driver. Perez escaped the collision without any major damage and was able to continue on his way.
The virtual safety car came out while Stroll's Williams was recovered, which prompted plenty of drivers into the pits. Crucially, Vettel came in to box for the super soft tyres while Hamilton stayed out on the intermediates. As the virtual safety car period ended, Antonio Giovinazzi lost his car on a wet patch and was sent into the barrier after the final corner, and the actual safety car was deployed.
Vettel, Bottas and Hamilton all pitted on lap 35, 36 and 37 respectively. Hamilton rejoined in the lead unchallenged and look set to take victory with 19 laps to go. Raikkonen only pitted on lap 40 after he was the man complaining most about tyre wear, and he rejoined the action on the super soft tyre.
Carlos Sainz jumped ahead of Raikkonen during the Finn's stop, but the Ferrari driver quickly disposed of the Toro Rosso for fifth place, and it wasn't long before Bottas also got by Sainz. Kevin Magnussen overtook Sergio Perez for eighth position and crossed the line in the same spot to claim Haas' first points of the year. Perez and Ocon made it another double points score for Force India as both drivers finished ninth and tenth. Carlos Sainz went one better than Australia, crossing the line in seventh.
Hamilton and Vettel are now level on points in the standings, and focus is turned to Bahrain which will see the battle continue in just one weeks time.
Fergal Walsh
Local time
Local time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (1)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Not a bad race actually some good wheel to wheel action.. Shame Vettel lost out in the pits, it could have been a much different race but this happens in racing so onwards.. Delighted Bahrain is only next week