Formula 1: Chinese GP Overview

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Nico Rosberg drove a flawless race to clinch his first Grand Prix victory and Mercedes' first works outfit win since 1955. Behind him, it was chaos, with strategy and overtaking aplenty.


It was by far the most exciting race so far this season; in my opinion the best since Germany last year. At times, there were cars from 2nd all the way back to 12th line astern fighting for position. It was a great display of varying strategies at work; the choice between stopping for tires two or three times splitting the drivers. Some, like Rosberg and Vettel, were able to make the two stop strategy work to great effect; others, like Raikkonen, didn't and suffered as a result, with the Finn dropping from 2nd to outside of the points in a matter of three laps.

The main talking point was of course Rosberg and Mercedes. The young German's first win was faultless, and his driving mirrored that of his compatriot and team-mate, Schumacher in his prime. Proving to critics that their W03 is a genuine contender, Mercedes definitely seemed relieved to have sealed that first win since returning to the sport in 2010.

Elsewhere, the two Mclaren drivers came away with much to smile about. Button, who started 6th, put a three stop strategy to good use and finished 2nd. He claims it could have been 1st had he not been held up at his last pitstop, but I'm not so sure; Rosberg was just that little bit far ahead. Hamilton was impressive also; he kept a cool head to put passes on Senna, Massa, Maldonado, Raikkonen and Vettel. His third podium in a row puts him in the lead of the championship and recalls the same cool consistency he built up in his rookie year. All he has to do now is keep it going.

Red Bull came away with 4th and 5th for Webber and Vettel respectively. It's not where they wanted to be but it is still a double points finish and it keeps them in touch of the two Mclarens in the points table. They'll be putting the test at Mugello to great use after the Bahrain GP to work on developing their car and winning races. They might be frustrated now, but they'll be back on the top-step before the middle of the year, no doubt.

Raikkonen was unlucky to not finish in the points but his team-mate Grosjean did well to score the first of his career. He nearly had a coming together with Webber and Maldonado, but it must have been a relief to shake off the disappointment of Australia and Malaysia.

Williams' renaissance continued with both Senna and Maldonado scoring points. Senna is really starting to prove his worth with a impressive 7th place. Kobayashi would have been disappointed to finish 10th after starting 3rd but realistically I think a podium was going to be off the cards for Sauber in Shanghai unless it rained like it did in Sepang.

Ferrari's struggle continued in Shanghai; the absence of rain highlighting the un-competitiveness of their car. Alonso finished 9th and scored two points but Massa finished a dismal 13th. Three races and no points will not go down well back at Maranello.

Only a week until Bahrain then. Whether F1 should or should not be heading to the troubled Middle-Eastern nation is another matter. Hopefully we'll see some better racing than last time a race was held in Sakhir. The circuit will offer a different challenge to an unusually chilly China; the temperatures in Bahrain may mix things up yet again. Can't wait.