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Rosberg wins action-packed Chinese Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg emerged victorious from a chaotic Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, to seal a third consecutive win and a 36-point lead at the start of the Formula One season. His team-mate Lewis Hamilton fought back to seventh place after starting at the back of the grid.

Nico Roseberg won his thrid consecutive Grand Prix of the season in Shanghai on 17 April.
Nico Roseberg won his thrid consecutive Grand Prix of the season in Shanghai on 17 April. AFP
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The race got off to a shaky start for the German, as his Mercedes was jumped by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who made a stunning start to take the lead.

Starting in pole position, Rosberg emerged unscathed from the first-corner mayhem rapidly unfolding behind the front two, before catching up with Ricciardo and beating Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel to the finish line by 38 seconds.

Rosberg’s Mercedes team-mate and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton came seventh, despite beginning from the back of the grid and pitting early to replace a damaged front wing.

The last time Hamilton started a race from the back was in Hungary two years ago, when he snatched the third place in a dramatic comeback.

After an engine change, Hamilton made a brave attempt to repeat the feat on Sunday, but this time he was forced to pit early after mangling his front wing in some intense skirmishes.

The Englishman was not the only one to suffer from mechanical set-backs on Sunday.

As Rosberg blew past Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian's left rear tyre shredded off and landed in strips on the track.

Ricciardo fought on with spirit, and eventually recovered from his puncture to claim the fourth position.

Raikkonen arrived in fifth place, whilst Felipe Massa came sixth, in front of Hamilton.

Rosberg became only the fourth driver to win six Grand Prix races in a row, along with Vettel (nine), Alberto Ascari (seven) and Michael Schumacher (six).

But the German was keen not to get ahead of himself, in a perfect start to the season so far.

"It's too early to make any premature conclusions," he insisted after the race. "Lewis is not many points behind -- 30 points is not much, it's a race and a bit and he will never give up."

Meanwhile Ferrari continue to trail in fourth and fifth position in the championship, after Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen collided at the first turn on Sunday, allowing Daniil Kvyat's Red Bull to slip past into third position.

Vettel roared back from 15th to 2nd, but was furious at Kyvat, who he accused of driving "like a madman" on the team radio. "Kvyat's attack was suicidal," he fumed.

As they prepared to step out to the podium, the German confronted the Russian: "You came in like a torpedo!" To which Kyvat shrugged: "That's racing."

"I was very lucky to continue," said Vettel. "It was a big hit with Kimi. I feel very sorry for Kimi but I was a bit in a sandwich between Kimi and Daniil and there was nothing I could do."

Mercedes continue to lead the championship, with Rosberg and Hamilton in first and second place respectively.

Hamilton now faces the prospect of trying to overhaul a 36-point deficit over the remaining 18 races of the season.

As for Rosberg, he will be under pressure to convert his lead into championship glory. So far no driver who has won the first three races of a season has failed to go on to take the season.

 

 

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