Hamilton wins for the third consecutive time, Rosberg 2nd; Double points finish for Sahara Force India
Shanghai, 20 April 2014: Number 44. Lewis Hamilton gave himself a wonderful Easter presentation, a hattrick of wins in Formula One. A few months back before the last season, when he left a strong McLaren andn signed for Mercedes AMGj Petronas, many wondered if the Briton made a mistake chosing a team for money rather than being in the sport to win many more laurels. But the drivers have a sixth sense and that knack of moving to a team which has the potential to win races and that is exactly what happened. He may have been behind teammate, but he has the potentiall and knows what he is capable of… and he proved that this season despite his teammate German Nico Rosberg winning he first race in Australia.
Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix to notch up his 25th Formula One World Championship race to over take one great Niki Lauda and is only two races away to overtake one more legend Jim Clarke in the all-time greats list. Leading from pole to flag the Briton had an impeccable race.
He received the prize on the podium, had a sip of the champagne, after the rose wqter in Bahrain, and then unleashed it on him manager and teammate on the podium before turning to the pit babes for that hint of a pleasure, which he hid this year, with a more mature approach to his racing. Belief is something which keeps you going, he said in Malaysia and he is a more mature and calm in life than ever before. The third consecutive win, the first ever for the Briton in F1, looks good for him to take another World Drivers Championship.
He led the race, for a Mercedes AMG Petronas, one-two. After splashing the grid girls, he poured a bit of champagne on himself and then changed the hat. Pirelli always has the plrivilege of drivers wearing the Pirelli cap during the anthem, and when Hami switched to a Petronas cap, he graciously accepted the cap and the mike from the grid girl and then thanked the team during the podium interview.
For the record, Rosberg came second for the third time but still maintains his lead in the championship, with much lesser 4 point lead, nevertheless.
Ferrari got the first podium of the season with Fernando Alonso in third and both the Red Bulls lining up thereafter with Daniel Riccardio disappointed in not getting a podium. “I was expecting a podium,” he said. But he did beat the world champion Seb Vettel to fourth.
Force India once again did a brilliant job with both the cars finishing in the points. Nico Hulkenberg finished sixth and Sergio Perez came in 9th. So Sahara Force India stands third in the Constructors championship with Red Bull regaining the second place.
Kyvat got his third points finish in the season to take the last place behing Perez.
Kobayashi did an overtake in the fag end to gain a place for his team.
eom/david
