Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand prix for a fifth time. The Mercedes driver led every one of the 56 laps in the dramatic race at the Shanghai International Circuit. That was his 54th career victory and 106th podium, which equals Alain Prost’s career tally and puts Hamilton second on the all-time list.
Sebastian Vettel was second in Shanghai, while Max Verstappen made a daring drive from 16th to finish third.
“It was incredible”, Lewis Hamilton commented on the podium. “Today was very very tough for us all. We all started on inters and it was very hard because there were dry patches everywhere, but there were some corners that were wet. But a great job done by Sebastian and this young dude here [Verstappen].”
The perfect end to a brilliant weekend for @LewisHamilton #ChineseGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/SHu68Xl99v
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 April 2017
Lewis Hamilton: “[The title fight] is going to be one of the closest ones, if not the closest one I’ve experienced”
Vettel went into the pits under the Virtual Safety Car mode at the beginning of the Grand prix. It was on after Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez had a contact and the Williams driver went off. But then Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at the last turn, almost exactly as yesterday and the actual safety car appeared at the track.
“My start was OK but then I realised the intermediates had a lot of degradation. I was happy to take the risk [of pitting under the VSC]. But the safety car came when the conditions were getting quicker and I couldn’t use the advantage. [Besides] every time I put a lap in, he (Hamilton) was able to respond”, Vettel explained.
“On the exit, I was a bit compromised, then I got my elbows out. He really squeezed me”, Sebastian aid of his wheel-rubbing moment with Daniel Ricciardo.
Verstappen had to defend himself against Ricciardo
He was particularly unhappy with Romain Grosjean who was in front of the Red Bull drivers.
“I think lap one I passed nine cars. Afterwards, it was a very good race. I didn’t have a lot of track time with the car balance from yesterday, so it was basically nursing the car to the finish. I didn’t expect that [being on the podium] at all”, Max said.
As for the blue flags messages for Grosjean, he explained: “I mean I just wanted clear air as I was already struggling a lot with the fronts and that doesn’t help. But at the end we still finished on the podium so I’m very happy.”
PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (LAP 56/56): After a frantic start, @LewisHamilton produces a flawless drive #ChineseGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/Em2zz7huhB
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 April 2017
UPDATED DRIVER STANDINGS
It’s a tie at the top for the first time since 2012 ?? ??#ChineseGP ?? pic.twitter.com/bT2vElMzpT
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 April 2017
