F1: Vettel Claims Victory In Soggy Shanghai

Formula 1

F1: Vettel Claims Victory In Soggy Shanghai

Sebastian Vettel took victory in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, with teammate Mark Webber filling out a Red Bull 1-2.

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted April 19, 2009 Shanghai (CHN)

Vettel took his second career victory (LAT)

Vettel made it look easy at a very wet Shanghai (LAT)

Red Bull Racing recorded an historic first Grand Prix win in Chinese rain on Sunday, Sebastian Vettel leading home teammate Mark Webber for a dominant one-two.

"It's my second win in the wet," said German youngster Vettel, recalling his first win from pole for junior team Toro Rosso at Monza last year. "I don't think I will mind if we have some more rain!"

45 seconds down the road, Brawn's Jenson Button completed the podium, but he retains his championship lead, 6 points ahead of Rubens Barrichello, who finished behind the sister car in Shanghai.

Behind the four Red Bulls and Brawns came the two McLarens, with Heikki Kovalainen ahead of Lewis Hamilton, after the reigning world champion spun multiple times at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Toro Rosso rookie Sebastien Buemi scored a point, but he had hearts racing on the Red Bull-branded pitwalls at one point, clipping the rear of winner Vettel under safety car conditions.

"I am lucky to have been able to finish," Vettel said in the post-race press conference.

Fernando Alonso qualified second but finished out of the points, after his low-fuel strategy came to nought when he had to pit even before the long eight-lap safety car period ended at the wet start of the race.

Ferrari again failed to open its 2009 points account: Kimi Raikkonen looking sluggish en route to tenth, while a furious Felipe Massa ground to a halt behind the safety car.

Jarno Trulli also had to retire, after Robert Kubica smashed into the rear of his Toyota.

Adrian Sutil, meanwhile, almost collected debut points for Force India, until he spun and had a huge crash with just five laps to go.

Chinese Grand Prix Result
1 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Renault) 56 laps
2 Mark Webber (Red Bull Renault) +10.9
3 Jenson Button (Brawn Mercedes) +44.9
4 Rubens Barrichello (Brawn Mercedes) +1:03.7
5 Heikki Kovalainen (Mclaren Mercedes) +1:05.1
6 Lewis Hamilton (Mclaren Mercedes) +1:11.8
7 Timo Glock (Toyota) +1:14.4
8 Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso Ferrari) +1:16.4
9 Fernando Alonso (Renault) +1:24.3
10 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) +1:31.7
11 Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso Ferrari) +1:34.1
12 Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) +1:35.8
13 Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) +1:46.8
14 Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India Mercedes) 1 lap
15 Nico Rosberg (Williams Toyota) 1 lap
16 Nelson Piquet (Renault) 2 laps
17 Adrian Sutil (Force India Mercedes) 6 laps, accident

Not classified:
Kazuki Nakajima (Williams Toyota) 13 laps
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 36 laps
Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 38 laps

Shanghai International Circuit Wallpaper

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SPEED Staff / GMM

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