Weekend review and results round-up
Thanks to another beautifully judged drive in changeable conditions, Jenson Button found himself in the world championship lead by the end of an absorbing, action-packed Chinese Grand Prix
The spectacular racing helped take the paddock's mind off the challenge ahead - as the Formula 1 fraternity pondered how they would get back from China amid the air travel crisis in Europe, and whether their preparations for the Spanish GP would be affected.
By the end of the weekend, the volcano in Iceland was the main talking point, though earlier the big news in the paddock had been the drivers' debates over weaving in the wake of incidents in Malaysia, and issues over F1 2011, with Bernie Ecclestone promising a record-breaking 20-race schedule, Cooper Avon entering the race to replace Bridgestone, and big names Lola and Prodrive ruling themselves out of bids for the 13th slot in the pitlane.
Away from F1, Sebastien Loeb stretched his World Rally Championship lead with a third straight win, this time in Turkey, and a new world series commenced in Abu Dhabi, where F1 reject Romain Grosjean was the sensation of the FIA GT1 World Championship opener.
Formula 2 and Formula Renault 3.5 both kicked off, with wins for Jolyon Palmer and Phillip Eng in F2, and Mikhail Aleshin and Sten Pentus in the Renault category.
In America, Ryan Hunter-Reay ended his and Andretti Autosport's win drought in Long Beach, but NASCAR remains on hold until Monday afternoon due to rain at Texas Motor Speedway.
The F1 sessions
Button fastest in first practice
Hamilton keeps McLaren on top in China
Webber quickest in final China practice
Vettel storms to Chinese GP pole
Button wins chaotic Chinese Grand Prix
The F1 headlines
Ecclestone: No doubts about Korea
Schumacher insists title still possible
Kubica: Ferrari talk no distraction
Barrichello criticises Hamilton weaving
Prodrive rules out entering F1 in 2011
Lola will not apply for 2011 F1 entry
Upright failure caused Buemi's crash
Alonso has 'zero' worries about engines
Ecclestone confirms 20 races in 2011
Drivers call for penalties for weaving
Yamamoto gets Hispania test deal
Hamilton surprised by weaving row
Cooper Avon enters race for 2011 tyres
Volcano fallout now worrying F1 teams
Vettel, Hamilton get a reprimand
The motorsport action
V8 Supercar: Whincup scores victory in race one
V8 Supercar: Whincup wins comfortably in race two
Formula Renault 3.5: Aleshin wins wet Renault 3.5 opener
Formula Renault 3.5: Pentus scores Aragon win for Fortec
GT1 World Championship: Zuber and Hennerici win first GT1 race
GT1 World Championship: Grosjean crowns GT debut with win
ALMS: Pagenaud wins thriller for Highcroft
WRC: Loeb secures Rally of Turkey win
Formula 2: Palmer clinches maiden F2 victory
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