Story highlights
Rosberg wins China Grand Prix
Finishes first for the third race in a row
17th career victory for the German
Hamilton takes seventh after shaky qualifier
Rosberg’s Mercedes teammate Hamilton, meanwhile, stuttered from pole position on the grid before colliding with Valtteri Bottas of Williams at turn one.
The German dominated the race throughout, leading second-place finisher Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari by 33 seconds on the 51st lap.
Read: F1 championship standings
Vettel tangled with teammate Kimi Raikkonen in the fist lap, blaming the hitch on an aggressive move from Russian Daniil Kvyat of Redbull who finished third.
Vettel and Kvyat were seen arguing on camera in the dressing room after the race, with each making his point in a frosty exchange. The animosity was set aside moments later – at least on the surface – as the two celebrated by spraying champagne on each other on the podium.
Vettel referred to Kvyat as “a madman” on the car radio during the race.
“He was coming with a lot of speed into that gap,” said Vettel after the race. “In the end we were lucky, because I could continue and he could continue.”
Kvyat noted he would have no hesitation doing it again. “It was a risky move, of course, but these kind of moves can take you to the podium,” he said.
Last year’s Shanghai winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes finished seventh, after enduring a dis
“It’s always difficult starting in the back. I tried to avoid what was happening in front of me,” said the world champion after the race. “In the end there was nothing left in the tires, but anyways, that’s racing. But not a great weekend for us.”
