Fernando Alonso got his bid for a third world title up and running in earnest with his first win of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver drove imperiously and hit the front for good with 13 laps left to take the chequered flag by ten seconds from Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen.
It was the Spaniard’s 31st race win of his career, bringing with level with Nigel Mansell’s tally, and leaving just Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna ahead of him on the all-time winners’ list.
Lewis Hamilton started in pole position but was passed on lap five by Alonso and Felipe Massa and eventually claimed third – his second podium finish for Mercedes.
The 28-year-old Briton fought off three-time champion Vettel by a mere 0.2seconds, with Jenson Button a creditable fifth in his McLaren.
Defending champion Vettel retains his lead in the driver standings, but is now just three points ahead of Raikkonen. Alonso moves up to third, with Hamilton three points back in fourth.
Tyre strategy proved crucial, with the podium finishers all starting on softer rubber.
Alonso and Raikkonen timed pit-stops to perfection too, with the Finn jumping Hamilton in the third round of stops to claim the runner-up spot.
Mark Webber had another miserable weekend after his team-orders controversy in Malaysia three weeks ago.
The Australian was forced to start from the pit lane after failing to fuel his car correctly in qualifying due to a technical fault.
But after fighting his way up to eighth by lap 15 he he ran into the side of the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne, and eventually had to retire as a rear wheel worked loose.
Sauber's Gutierrez caused mayhem for himself and Force India's Adrian Sutil, the Mexican's tyre was off the track under breaking and he ended up sliding straight into the back of Sutil who was applying heavy breaking for the final hairpin.
There was no luck either for Hamilton’s team-mate Nico Rosberg, who retired after 23 laps with a technical fault.
Chinese Grand Prix results:
1. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 1:36:26.945
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Lotus – Renault +00:10.168
3. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 00:12.322
4. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) RedBull – Renault 00:12.525
5. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 00:35.285
6. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 00:40.827
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso – Ferrari 00:42.691
8. Paul Di Resta (Britain) Force India – Mercedes 00:51.084
9. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus – Renault 00:53.423
10. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Sauber – Ferrari 00:56.598
11. Sergio Perez (Mexico) McLaren 01:03.860
12. Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso – Ferrari 01:12.604
13. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams – Renault 01:33.861
14. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams – Renault 01:35.453
15. Jules Bianchi (France) Marussia – Cosworth 1 lap
16. Charles Pic (France) Caterham – Renault 1 lap
17. Max Chilton (Britain) Marussia – Cosworth 1 lap
18. Giedo van der Garde (Netherlands) Caterham – Renault 1 lap
r. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 35 laps
r. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull – Renault 41 laps
r. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India – Mercedes 51 laps
r. Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Sauber – Ferrari 52 laps
(rank: r = retired, nc = not classified)
Fastest Lap: Sebastian Vettel,1:36.808, lap 53.
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