2014 Chinese Grand Prix Sunday - Chinese GP
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There's a huge amount of non-Formula 1 motorsport happening around Europe today, including the World Endurance Championship season-opener at Silverstone, British Touring Car Championship at a wet Donington Park, World Touring Car Championship at Paul Ricard and the start of Alex Zanardi's motorsport comeback in the Blancpain Sprint Series at Nogaro.
You can follow all of those as they happen with live updates on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live.
As that's getting underway now, it's time for us to wrap up F1 Live for the Chinese GP weekend.
Keep an eye on AUTOSPORT's news pages and Race Centre Live for the rest of the news from the Shanghai paddock.
Here's our ever-growing gallery from the Chinese GP weekend:
Chinese GP in pictures
And you can find quotes from all the drivers plus their full race data including all lap times and gaps on our stats partner FORIX:
Chinese GP driver quotes and full race data
Tomorrow morning we'll have EDD STRAW's comprehensive analysis of how the race was won plus his driver ratings.
And AUTOSPORT Live's F1 coverage will resume at 8.30am on Friday May 9 when the European season begins in Spain.
You can follow all of those as they happen with live updates on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live.
As that's getting underway now, it's time for us to wrap up F1 Live for the Chinese GP weekend.
Keep an eye on AUTOSPORT's news pages and Race Centre Live for the rest of the news from the Shanghai paddock.
Here's our ever-growing gallery from the Chinese GP weekend:
Chinese GP in pictures
And you can find quotes from all the drivers plus their full race data including all lap times and gaps on our stats partner FORIX:
Chinese GP driver quotes and full race data
Tomorrow morning we'll have EDD STRAW's comprehensive analysis of how the race was won plus his driver ratings.
And AUTOSPORT Live's F1 coverage will resume at 8.30am on Friday May 9 when the European season begins in Spain.
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Jean-Eric Vergne
Toro Rosso might have actually had two cars in the points today, had Jean-Eric Vergne not had such a bad start to the race. He might be in the dark about why his start was so bad, but Vergne says Toro Rosso knows where it's going in terms of development.
"I had a bad start and a bad first lap. We need to understand what happened exactly to improve this aspect.
"After that, I could not make the best out of the option tyres because I was stuck behind Button, so it was not possible to build a gap and pull away.
"It was definitely a tough race but we should not have to forget some positive aspects: we had a really good qualifying yesterday, the general pace was not bad and we know exactly the direction to take in order to improve.
"This is the reason why I'm convinced that we can be stronger in a few weeks’ time in Barcelona."
Kvyat actually came to find Button immediately after the race to thank him for that fight for 10th place, EDD STRAW has discovered.
Romain Grosjean
It was looking like a great race for Lotus today by its 2014 standards, with Romain Grosjean looking good for a couple of points.
But a gearbox problem sidelined him:
"We started by losing fourth gear but it got worse and essentially we lost all gears," says Grosjean.
"It's the first time we've had a problem like this so we'll have to understand what happened."
His team-mate Pastor Maldonado came from the back of the grid to an underwhelmed 14th: "Today wasn't my best race ever but we finished. My pace wasn't fantastic but at least we moved forwards."
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Speaking of Kvyat, here is his reaction after spending the race battling a world champion for 10th place.
“It felt great today and I’m very happy with my performance. I had a good start and I managed to make up some positions during the first lap.
"Our pace was very strong today and I enjoyed the fight with Jenson pretty much throughout the race. We did a good job with the tyre management, so we were able to stay out longer.
"Even though it all went very well today, I think there’s still a lot more to come from the car, so I’m really looking forward to starting the European part of the season, where I hope to get some more points.”
“It felt great today and I’m very happy with my performance. I had a good start and I managed to make up some positions during the first lap.
"Our pace was very strong today and I enjoyed the fight with Jenson pretty much throughout the race. We did a good job with the tyre management, so we were able to stay out longer.
"Even though it all went very well today, I think there’s still a lot more to come from the car, so I’m really looking forward to starting the European part of the season, where I hope to get some more points.”
EDD STRAW has been having a chat with Red Bull talent guru Helmut Marko.
The Austrian is impressed with Daniel Ricciardo's form at Red Bull so far, but is particularly delighted with Toro Rosso's latest rookie Daniil Kvyat, who today scored points for the third time in his first four F1 races.
The Austrian is impressed with Daniel Ricciardo's form at Red Bull so far, but is particularly delighted with Toro Rosso's latest rookie Daniil Kvyat, who today scored points for the third time in his first four F1 races.
Breaking news
Jenson Button admits he's concerned over the direction McLaren's form is heading in at the moment:
Chinese GP: Jenson Button says he is concerned about McLaren's lack of form
Chinese GP: Jenson Button says he is concerned about McLaren's lack of form
Plenty of F1 links in that F3 race - Lotus protege Esteban Ocon, who won race two yesterday, was third and Max - son of Jos - Verstappen was second. All three are rookies!
More good news for Ferrari to add to its F1 podium - its star of the future Antonio Fuoco just took his maiden Formula 3 win in the final race of the opening round at Silverstone:
Fuoco gets first F3 victory
Seventeen-year-old Italian Fuoco is the man entrusted with emulating leading Ferrari Driver Academy light Raffaele Marciello, who won the 2013 F3 crown.
Fuoco gets first F3 victory
Seventeen-year-old Italian Fuoco is the man entrusted with emulating leading Ferrari Driver Academy light Raffaele Marciello, who won the 2013 F3 crown.
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Here's some more reaction from Nico Hulkenberg, who explains that sixth was the best he and Force India could manage today, and that work has to be done to regularly fight with Red Bull.
"At the end it got a bit tricky. If it was one lap longer, Valterri [Bottas] probably could have DRSed me.
"It was a straightforward race, not much to do except manage my tyres, manage my pace and not make a mistake.
"It was not as strong as Bahrain. The strategy was optimal, which shows us we’ve got some homework to do.
"We’ve beaten all the other customer Mercedes cars, that’s our main competition."
"At the end it got a bit tricky. If it was one lap longer, Valterri [Bottas] probably could have DRSed me.
"It was a straightforward race, not much to do except manage my tyres, manage my pace and not make a mistake.
"It was not as strong as Bahrain. The strategy was optimal, which shows us we’ve got some homework to do.
"We’ve beaten all the other customer Mercedes cars, that’s our main competition."
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It was a tough race for Felipe Massa, his chances ruined by a very long first pit-stop. And Massa himself isn't yet sure what happened.
"It was a bit of a nightmre. I lost my race there. I came out last, there wasn’t much I could have done.
"I don’t know what happened, I just know something happened to the back of the car. I don’t know if it was a mistake, a problem on the wheel nut, I don’t know."
"It was a bit of a nightmre. I lost my race there. I came out last, there wasn’t much I could have done.
"I don’t know what happened, I just know something happened to the back of the car. I don’t know if it was a mistake, a problem on the wheel nut, I don’t know."
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Kevin Magnussen seems confident that he knows why both McLarens finished outside the top 10 today:
"It's a shame we just don't have enough downforce, and I think that's the only issue with the car. The way he car is run and how it feels is good, we just lack overall grip.
"I mean I guess that's the negative, the good thing is the car feels good, we just need loads of downforce."
"It's a shame we just don't have enough downforce, and I think that's the only issue with the car. The way he car is run and how it feels is good, we just lack overall grip.
"I mean I guess that's the negative, the good thing is the car feels good, we just need loads of downforce."
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Meanwhile Ricciardo has reiterated that he wasn't aware of Vettel arguing back about team orders during the race and says all is fine between them.
But he says it in a way we'd describe as 'chilled but firm':
"I haven't noticed anything, let's say, suspicious so to speak. Your team-mate is the first guy you always look at and I'm sure Seb won't be happy with his result today.
"It's not going to make him not talk to me. I'm sure we'll still chat. He'll just work a bit harder and see where he can improve for the next one. I won't rest either..."
But he says it in a way we'd describe as 'chilled but firm':
"I haven't noticed anything, let's say, suspicious so to speak. Your team-mate is the first guy you always look at and I'm sure Seb won't be happy with his result today.
"It's not going to make him not talk to me. I'm sure we'll still chat. He'll just work a bit harder and see where he can improve for the next one. I won't rest either..."
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A pretty disgruntled-looking Vettel has confirmed to reporters that he did eventually let Ricciardo through deliberately at Turn 1.
"There was no point holding him back further. He was quite a lot quicker. At that point we had different strategies."
"There was no point holding him back further. He was quite a lot quicker. At that point we had different strategies."
BEN ANDERSON: "Interesting to hear Nico Hulkenberg complaining about understeer in the Force India. Remember the team softened the rear suspension to improve traction earlier in the season, which will promote understeer."
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Nico Hulkenberg put in a great drive today, weathering the Bottas storm behind him to finish sixth. On the slowing-down lap he took the opportunity to fill the team in on where he thinks the Force India is lacking compared to the top five.
"Mechanically we have a lot of understeer, and all the low speed corners were losing s**t loads of time because we can’t rotate the car. On exit you have a lot of steering angle and when you get on the power you get trapped, so it was quite penalising."
"Mechanically we have a lot of understeer, and all the low speed corners were losing s**t loads of time because we can’t rotate the car. On exit you have a lot of steering angle and when you get on the power you get trapped, so it was quite penalising."
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Here's the full chat that Vettel and engineer 'Rocky' had after the flag before Horner came in:
Rocky: "I know that wasn't the most enjoyable race but good job, good points."
Vettel: "OK, yeah, not the best Sunday afternoon but great job, great pitstops guys. It will take time but we'll get there."
Rocky: "Good attitude."
Rocky: "I know that wasn't the most enjoyable race but good job, good points."
Vettel: "OK, yeah, not the best Sunday afternoon but great job, great pitstops guys. It will take time but we'll get there."
Rocky: "Good attitude."
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On the slowing-down lap, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner came onto the radio to explain to Vettel why he had been asked to let Ricciardo past when they ended up being on pretty similar two-stop strategies:
"We switched the cars at that point because we were looking at three-stop being the better route to use for the end of the race, going option-option, and then the gaps weren't opening up behind or whatever so the two-stop was the better race for you.
"That's how we ended up where we were, but chin up, we'll keep fighting our way back into it."
"We switched the cars at that point because we were looking at three-stop being the better route to use for the end of the race, going option-option, and then the gaps weren't opening up behind or whatever so the two-stop was the better race for you.
"That's how we ended up where we were, but chin up, we'll keep fighting our way back into it."
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Certainly was a good day for Fernando Alonso. Well ahead of his team-mate, ahead of the Red Bulls, and only beaten by the dominant Mercedes.
"It was a good weekend, we're more competitive. The podium is a nice surprise, I'm happy.
"We didn't have the start to the season we would like, but we're in the fight."
"It was a good weekend, we're more competitive. The podium is a nice surprise, I'm happy.
"We didn't have the start to the season we would like, but we're in the fight."
Breaking news
Here's our report from the Chinese Grand Prix:
Chinese GP: Lewis Hamilton dominates in Mercedes one-two
Chinese GP: Lewis Hamilton dominates in Mercedes one-two
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Podium
Rosberg, meanwhile, says his weekend "went completely wrong" – but he's not planning on handing over that championship lead without a fight.
"I'm not going to say 'still' [in the championship lead]. I plan to keep it that way."
Expect the Red Bull team orders - and particularly Vettel's reluctance to accept them - to be a big talking point.
EDD STRAW has been hearing from Ricciardo post-race. The Australian says he didn't know about Vettel's "tough luck" response to the team's request and is keen not to start/stir any conflict.
As far as Ricciardo is concerned, the only thing to be disappointed about is just missing the podium.
EDD STRAW has been hearing from Ricciardo post-race. The Australian says he didn't know about Vettel's "tough luck" response to the team's request and is keen not to start/stir any conflict.
As far as Ricciardo is concerned, the only thing to be disappointed about is just missing the podium.
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Speaking on the podium, Hamilton says he "can't believe how good the car is".
"I couldn't do it without the hard work from the team. I can't believe how good the car is, it shows the hard work of the team. I was able to look after the tyres. I was racing myself."
"I couldn't do it without the hard work from the team. I can't believe how good the car is, it shows the hard work of the team. I was able to look after the tyres. I was racing myself."
Drivers warned not to swear by the announcer.
Just to clarify, there are just four points separating the two Mercedes drivers in the points, now. Rosberg still ahead.
Back to the top three and the champagne is flying. Mercedes drivers seem to be teaming up on Alonso.
Certainly worth mentioning Kvyat's efforts today. Another points finish for the rookie with 10th, two spots ahead of Vergne. Solid work.
Drivers emerge onto the podium for the anthems.
He still has a smile with his good mate Hamilton, though. May have been forced...
Rosberg hardly looks overjoyed with the situation as he waits to head out to the podium.
The top three jump on the scales before heading up to the podium. Wonder who's eaten the most chocolate over the weekend?
So, here's the full order at the end of the Chinese Grand Prix:
1 Hamilton
2 Rosberg
3 Alonso
4 Ricciardo
5 Vettel
6 Hulkenberg
7 Bottas
8 Raikkonen
9 Perez
10 Kvyat
11 Button
12 Vergne
13 Magnussen
14 Maldonado
15 Massa
16 Gutierrez
17 Kobayashi
18 Bianchi
19 Chilton
20 Ericsson
Ret Grosjean
Ret Sutil
1 Hamilton
2 Rosberg
3 Alonso
4 Ricciardo
5 Vettel
6 Hulkenberg
7 Bottas
8 Raikkonen
9 Perez
10 Kvyat
11 Button
12 Vergne
13 Magnussen
14 Maldonado
15 Massa
16 Gutierrez
17 Kobayashi
18 Bianchi
19 Chilton
20 Ericsson
Ret Grosjean
Ret Sutil
Still a bit of action at the back. Kobayashi nabs 17th from Bianchi on the last lap.
And Hulkenberg holds of to sixth from Bottas. Gap 0.5s at the end. Great drive from both.
Vettel finishes 24s behind his team-mate in fifth.
Alonso holds off Ricciardo by 1.2s to claim Ferrari's first podium of 2014.
Rosberg finishes 18.6s behind Hamilton in second place.
Checkered flag
The chequered flag was there that time and it was the end of the race.
Trophy
Hamilton wins the 2014 Chinese GP!
Ricciardo is on a last push and takes 0.7s out of Alonso but he's still two seconds back.
By: Matt Beer, Edd Straw, Ben Anderson, Jonathan Noble, Andrew van Leeuwen
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