Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai (Race 4, 2014): Race

Hamilton wins the Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton made it three race wins in a row after winning the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai circuit. Nico Rosberg made it the perfect weekend for Mercedes after moving past both of the Red Bulls to finish second whilst Fernando Alonso also passed both Ricciardo and Vettel to claim Ferrari's first podium finish of the season. Despite a strong day of qualifying, Red Bull could not take advantage as both cars failed to make the podium in what was a disappointing race for Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastien Vettel. 



My Opinion:

Mercedes - Hamilton (Winner), Rosberg (2nd). Another perfect race for Mercedes as both cars finish in the top two positions. Lewis Hamilton looked composed and at ease to take his third race win of the season whilst Nico Rosberg climbed two places up the grid to finish second. Strong stuff from Mercedes who continue to dominate Formula 1 this year. 
Red Bull - Ricciardo (4th), Vettel (5th). Despite a really strong day of qualifying, it was not the race result that Red Bull had in mind. Both Ricciardo and Vettel fell two places each down the grid during the race as they failed to put either of the two cars on the podium. Disappointment for Red Bull but there are signs that they could pose a challenge to Mercedes. 
Force India - Hulkenberg (6th), Perez (9th). Great race for Force India as both cars took points home. Hulkenberg, who has been really consistent this season, jumped two places up the grid to finish 6th whilst Perez impressively moved up seven places to finish 9th. Encouraging signs ahead for the team.
Ferrari - Alonso (3rd), Raikkonen (8th). Ferrari will be encouraged after their first podium finish of the season. Alonso was terrific in his Ferrari to get past both of the Red Bulls and take a much deserved third place. Raikkonen is still not quite at his best but at least managed to move up three places and finish 8th. I know Ferrari expect to win races but seeing Alonso on the podium will surely give them some much needed encouragement that they are improving. 
McLaren - Button (11th), Magnussen (13th). Terrible result for McLaren. It all seems to have gone wrong again for the team who started the campaign so well. A poor qualifying result didn't help Button or Magnussen but to not take a single point will be a massive dent to everyone at McLaren. Both drivers improved on the qualifying result but it was just a day to forget for the team. 
Williams - Bottas (7th), Massa (15th). Mixed result for Williams. Bottas proved once again that he can bring home the points with another consistent drive. However, Massa had plenty of troubles during his race after falling down the order and finishing 15th. There are some good signs at Williams and they have a decent car this year but a podium finish may not happen this season. 
Toro Rosso - Kvyat (10th), Vergne (12th). Normal service at Toro Rosso. Kvyat has been in and around 10th all season and it was no surpise to seen him finish 10th. Vergne didn't have such an enjoyable day after losing three places and finishing out of the points in 12th. 
Lotus - Maldonado (14th), Grosjean (DNF, 28 laps). Troubles resume at Lotus. Maldonado took his best result of the season so far after making up eight places from the back of the grid to finish 14th but Grosjean failed to finish for the first time this year after only completing 28 laps. Their problem lies in their qualifying pace which is too slow. If they can improve on the Saturday, they should pick up better results on the Sunday.
Sauber - Gutierrez (16th), Sutil (DNF, 5 laps). Disappointing result for Sauber. Gutierrez managed to improve by one place to finish 16th whilst Sutil failed to finish the race for the third time this year. Not their best result by far and improvements need to be made by the team. 
Marussia - Bianchi (17th), Chilton (19th). Bianchi equalled the teams best result after finishing 17th whilst Chilton took 19th.
Caterham - Kobayashi (18th), Ericsson (20th). Caterham were the slowest team of the race but Kobayashi managed to split the two Marussia's at least. Ericsson was the last car across the line in 20th. 

Key Moments During the Race:

Start: Hamilton, Vettel (up 1), Alonso (up 2), Ricciardo (down 2), Massa (down 1), Hulkenberg (up 1), Rosberg (up 3), Bottas (up 1), Grosjean (up 1), Raikkonen (up 1). Contact between Alonso and Massa and between Rosberg and Bottas.
Lap 1: Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Ricciardo, Massa, Rosberg moves into 6th after passing Hulkenberg, Grosjean moves into 8th and Raikkonen moves into 9th after both pass Bottas.
Lap 3: Bottas moves into 8th after passing Grosjean. Button moves into 13th after passing Vergne.
Lap 5: Rosberg moves into 5th after passing Massa. Sutil OUT.
Lap 11: Massa suffers from a slow pit stop as the rear left tyre is not fitted speedily.
Lap 14: Raikkonen moves into 10th after passing Grosjean. Bottas moves into 8th after passing Gutierrez. Perez moves into 12th after passing Button.
Lap 16: Raikkonen moves into 8th after passing Magnussen.
Lap 17: Grosjean moves into 9th after passing Magnussen. Hamilton makes a pit stop and regains the lead.
Lap 18: Magnussen moves into 15th after passing Kobayashi. Magnussen moves into 16th after passing Maldonado. Maldonado moves into 16th after passing Kobayashi.
Lap 22: Rosberg moves into 3rd after passing Vettel.
Lap 24: Perez moves into 9th after passing Grosjean.
Lap 26: Ricciardo moves into 4th after passing Vettel.
Lap 27: Magnussen moves into 14th after passing Gutierrez.
Lap 28: Grosjean OUT.
Lap 34: Raikkonen moves into 8th after passing Vergne.
Lap 38: Maldonado moves into 14th after passing Gutierrez. Hamilton makes another pit stop and regains the lead.
Lap 43: Rosberg moves into 2nd after passing Alonso.
Lap 56/Finish: Hamilton wins the Chinese Grand Prix. Rosberg comes second whilst Alonso takes third. Kobayashi moves into 17th after passing Bianchi.

Race Result:
1. Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.33.28.338
2. Rosberg (Mercedes)
3. Alonso (Ferrari)
4. Ricciardo (Red Bull)
5. Vettel (Red Bull)
6. Hulkenberg (Force India)
7. Bottas (Williams)
8. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
9. Perez (Force India)
10. Kvyat (Toro Rosso)

11. Button (McLaren)
12. Vergne (Toro Rosso)
13. Magnussen (McLaren)
14. Maldonado (Lotus)
15. Massa (Williams)
16. Gutierrez (Sauber)
17. Bianchi (Marussia)
18. Kobayashi (Caterham)
19. Chilton (Marussia)
20. Ericsson (Caterham)

21. Grosjean (Lotus) Retired after 28 laps
22. Sutil (Sauber) Retired after 5 laps

Fastest Lap: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1.40.402

Driver of the Day: Sergio Perez (Force India)

Team of the Day: Mercedes

Driver Standings:
1. Rosberg (Mercedes) 79pts
2. Hamilton (Mercedes) 75pts
3. Alonso (Ferrari) 41pts
4. Hulkenberg (Force India) 36pts
5. Vettel (Red Bull) 33pts

Constructor Standings:
1. Mercedes 154pts
2. Red Bull 57pts
3. Force India 54pts
4. Ferrari 52pts
5. McLaren 43pts

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Chinese Grand Prix: Shanghai (Race 4, 2014) - Qualifying

Hamilton takes pole position in China

Lewis Hamilton claimed his third pole position of the season and will start at the front of the grid for the Chinese Grand Prix. Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo will start alongside Hamilton on the front row whilst Sebastien Vettel took third ahead of Nico Rosberg. It seems Red Bull have managed to find some pace and split the two Mercedes drivers. Is this a sign that the Mercedes dominance is being clawed back or will we see Rosberg finish ahead of both Ricciardo and Vettel in tomorrow's race? 



My Opinion:

Mercedes - Hamilton (Pole), Rosberg (4th). Mercedes will be pleased that Hamilton will start on pole but Rosberg could only manage 4th which is his lowest qualification of the season. I fully expect Hamilton to go on and win but it will be really interesting to see who Rosberg gets on. I reckon he'll get on the podium but he will have a tough time of it getting past both of the Red Bulls.
Mclaren - Button (12th), Magnussen (15th). Terrible day of qualifying for McLaren. Both cars failed to make it into Q3 which can only be seen as a total disaster. It all seems to be going downhill for the team as they have failed to live up to a great start to the season. I would expect Button to take away some points but Magnussen may struggle to. Very disappointing but they need to salvage their weekend in the race. 
Ferrari - Alonso (5th), Raikkonen (11th). Mixed day at Ferrari. Alonso was the quickest behind the Mercedes and Red Bulls and should be pleased with 5th but Raikkonen failed to make it into Q3 which is just not good enough. Alonso should be looking to finish the race in 5th or higher whilst Raikkonen should take away a point or two. 
Williams - Massa (6th), Bottas (7th). Strong day for Williams. Massa had his best qualifying result after taking 6th which puts him in a good position for the race. Bottas has been consistent and will be satisfied with 7th. Plenty of points are on offer for Williams, it's just down to the drivers to bring them home. 
Force India - Hulkenberg (8th), Perez (16th). Tough day for Force India. Hulkenberg claimed his lowest qualifying position in 8th and should be looking to claim a few points from the race but Perez had a nightmare after only qualifying in 16th. The young Mexican driver will have plenty to do tomorrow if he is to penetrate the top ten. 
Red Bull - Ricciardo (2nd), Vettel (3rd). That was Red Bulls best qualifying result of the year. Young Australian star once again was faster than Vettel but they will be delighted to have split the two Mercedes drivers. It is a real chance to see if they can battle it out with Mercedes and it should be brilliant to watch. I predict that Ricciardo may finish on the podium but I'm yet to be convinced that about Vettel's chances so far this season and expect him to be passed by Rosberg. 
Toro Rosso - Vergne (9th), Kvyat (13th). Decent day for Toro Rosso. Vergne progressed into Q3 but Kvyat was unable to. It will be tough for Vergne to stay in the top ten but he has a good chance of being able to whilst Kvyat will be battling away in the middle order. Most likely, only one of the two drivers may pick up a point or two but I can't see both doing so.
Sauber - Sutil (14th), Gutierrez (17th). Not too bad from Sauber. Sutil equalled his best performance and will start 14th whilst Gutierrez just missed out on making it into Q2. It has been a disastrous time on race day so far for Sauber so they will be desperate to see both cars finish to get some useful information to dissect.
Lotus - Grosjean (10th), Maldonado (22nd). Progress at Lotus. Grosjean made it into Q3 for the first time this year and will have a decent chance of finishing in the top ten tomorrow. However, Maldonado endured a terrible day and will have to start at the back of the grid.
Caterham - Kobayashi (18th), Ericsson (20th). Kobayashi was the quicker driver out of the two Caterham's but Ericsson equalled his best result of the year with 20th. They proved to be a little quicker than the Marussia's and I expect them to finish ahead of them in the race. 
Marussia - Bianchi (19th), Chilton (21st). Marussia were the slowest team of the day but Bianchi can be pleased after splitting the two Caterhams. Chilton didn't have the pace today and will start on the back row. 

Qualifying Result and Starting Grid:

Q3
Pole: Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Ricciardo (Red Bull)
3. Vettel (Red Bull)
4. Rosberg (Mercedes)
5. Alonso (Ferrari)
6. Massa (Williams)
7. Bottas (Williams)
8. Hulkenberg (Force India)
9. Vergne (Toro Rosso)
10. Grosjean (Lotus)

Q2
11. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
12. Button (Mclaren)
13. Kvyat (Toro Rosso)
14. Sutil (Sauber)
15. Magnussen (Mclaren)
16. Perez (Force India)

Q1
17. Gutierrez (Sauber)
18. Kobayashi (Caterham)
19. Bianchi (Marussia)
20. Ericsson (Caterham)
21. Chilton (Marussia)
22. Maldonado (Lotus)

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