China Recap: Rosberg Finally Victorius

The Chinese Grand Prix once again gave Formula One fans a great race. Like in so many other races the crucial aspect was not flat out speed, but tire management and pit performance. Nico Rosberg and Mercedes executed both of these flawlessly during the race (with the exception of Schumacher's first pit) and finally got both Mercedes and Rosberg a victory. Coming in his 111th race, the win was much deserved for Rosberg who combined not only a blistering qualifying lap to take pole but also a beautifully driven race where he managed his tire wear and was able to pull of the two-stop race that caught Sebastian Vettel out last year here. Many could point to Button's final stop as helping Rosberg win, but Formula One is more than just a single driver sport and the pit crews often are the reason for victory or defeat.

Nico Rosburg Celebrates Victory with his Crew
Photo by Reuters

The true battle during the race, however, was the fantastic fight for the podium in the closing laps. Fillipe Massa, on his own two-stop strategy, created a long que of cars before he finally came in. The fights between Raikkonen, Vettel, Button, Hamilton, Alonso and Webber were clearly the highlight. Raikkonen clearly showed just what happens when the tires "fall off the cliff" as he lost eight places in a single lap and eventually finished way down in 14th. The fantastic pack racing is not something that Formula One fans get to see every race, and China highlighted just how exciting it can be. The different tire strategies managed to put all those cars together and give us the best battle for position we have seen so far this year. The fight between Webber and Vettel on the final two laps clearly show that while Vettel may be reigning champion, Webber still has a great deal of talent and fight left in him. There were also some great passes and individual fights due to the long final straight in China. Perez and Kobayashi almost got into each other on the back straight during one of their fights. Button made a fantastic move to get past Vettel going into Turn 14. Hamilton took advantage of the hard breaking into Turn 6 and made a number of drivers pay with passes up the inside. Even the Turn 1-3 complex offered great side-by-side action during the race.

Looking forward from China to Bahrain we get another track where tire management and speed will be key. Mercedes clearly showed that their wing was the clear way forward for pace this season. It was strongly highlighted on the massively long back straight at China, and Bahrain will be no different. The key for Mercedes going forward is to really replicate what they had here in China. Not every track will give them this advantage and the other teams will soon catch up as well, but the tracks which do provide them this platform should see them right up front. McLaren have clearly been the lead team this year and with Hamilton and Button 1-2 in the points they should have very few issues going forward. Red Bull have ground to make up, but they are still well within the fight for the top. Ferrari have a decidedly different future than the other top teams and they won't remain in the fight long living off just points from Alonso. Sauber, Lotus and Williams all have had fantastic performances this season and will eagerly be fighting to replace Ferrari in the top group.

Later this week we will have a greater preview of Bahrain as well as a look forward to the European leg of the Championship fight.