Fernando Alonso wins 2013 Chinese GP

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) has made up for his first lap exit in Malaysia by collecting maximum points for the win at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Tyre strategy once again ruled the day and it was an odd race really. Nothing happened and everything happened. Drivers were asking their teams if they should be racing the car behind or letting it through, all due to tyre wear and their own individual strategies.

In the end the only real excitement was in the last few laps when Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), running a brand new set of soft compound tyres, was taking seconds per lap out of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG) in the chase for the final podium step. Hamilton was able to hang on for third, but only by a couple of tenths from the charging Vettel.

Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) was second and but for a mishap early in the race which left him with some minor damage to the front of his car he may have been able to put more pressure on Alonso who enjoyed victory with a margin of 10.1 seconds.

Mark Webber’s (Red Bull) horror weekend continued with his left rear wheel falling off as he was coasting back to pit lane with problems. This, after already being forced to start from pit lane due to his fuelling dramas from qualifying.

On the positive side for Australian F1 fans Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) took the six championship points on offer for seventh place. That’s a career best result for Daniel and we hope his improved form continues.

The stewards will be investigating a host of drivers after the race for using DRS in yellow flag conditions. Should that alter the race results we’ll be sure to let you know.

The F1 circus backs up next weekend in Bahrain. We’ll be away interstate at Targa Tasmania but will endeavour to cover proceedings as best we can.

2013 Chinese Grand Prix final placings

1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – 56 Laps (25pts)
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – +10.1 secs (18pts)
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – +12.3 secs (15pts)
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – +12.5 secs (12pts)
5. Jenson Button McLaren – +35.2 secs (10pts)
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari – +40.8 secs (8pts)
7. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso – +42.6 secs (6pts)
8. Paul di Resta Force India – +51.0 secs (4pts)
9. Romain Grosjean Lotus – +53.4 secs (2pts)
10. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – +56.5 secs (1pt)
11. Sergio Perez McLaren – +63.8 secs
12. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso – +72.6 secs
13. Valtteri Bottas Williams – +93.8 secs
14. Pastor Maldonado Williams – +95.4 secs
15. Jules Bianchi Marussia – +1 Lap
16. Charles Pic Caterham – +1 Lap
17. Max Chilton Marussia – +1 Lap
18. Giedo van der Garde Caterham – +1 Lap

Retired/not classified
Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – +35 Laps
Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – +41 Laps
Adrian Sutil Force India – +51 Laps
Esteban Gutierrez Sauber – +52 Laps

Fastest lap
Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 1:36.808

2013 F1 world championship – Drivers (top 10)

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 52
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – 49
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – 43
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – 40
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari – 30
6. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – 26
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – 12
8. Jenson Button McLaren – 12
9. Romain Grosjean Lotus – 11
10. Paul di Resta Force India – 8

2013 F1 world championship – Constructors

1. Red Bull Racing-Renault – 78
2. Ferrari – 73
3. Lotus-Renault – 60
4. Mercedes – 50
5. McLaren-Mercedes – 14
6. Force India-Mercedes – 14
7. STR-Ferrari – 7
8. Sauber-Ferrari – 5