2008 Chinese Grand Prix

Lore & Background

Hamilton, the eventual Drivers' Champion, led the Championship going into the race, and started from pole position alongside Räikkönen. Second in the Drivers' Championship, Massa began from third, next to Fernando Alonso of Renault. The first three drivers retained their positions into the first corner, but Alonso was passed by Hamilton's McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen. Alonso, however, was able to regain the place midway through the first lap. Over the course of the race, Hamilton extended a considerable lead over the two Ferraris. Massa passed Räikkönen with seven laps remaining, to improve his chances of surpassing Hamilton's points tally at the final race in Brazil. The result extended Ferrari's lead over McLaren in the Constructors' Championship from seven to 11 points. Third-placed in the Drivers' Championship, Robert Kubica's sixth place at the Grand Prix eliminated his hopes of winning the Championship, and reduced his lead over fourth-placed Räikkönen to six points. Nelson Piquet Jr. scored his last world championship points at this race.

In Their Own Story

The air in Shanghai was thick with anticipation as the F1 grid lined up under grey skies. The engines roared, a symphony of mechanical fury echoing off the circuit walls. As the lights went out, Hamilton surged forward, his eyes fixed on the horizon of history. Meanwhile, Massa's car shuddered violently as the tire gave way, sending him spiraling down the order. Yet, in the pit lane, Renault strategists watched their own driver, Piquet, navigate the traffic with surgical precision, knowing that consistency was their only weapon against the giants.

Reader's Guide

The conditions on the grid were dry before the race. The air temperature was 27 °C (81 °F) and the track temperature was 30 °C (86 °F); weather forecasts suggested a small possibility of rain. Hamilton and Alonso began the race on harder compound tyre; both Ferraris opted for the softer compound. Hamilton accelerated faster than the Ferraris off the line, and retained his lead into the first corner. Kovalainen overtook Alonso to take fourth in the opening corners. However, Alonso pushed Kovalainen hard through the middle sector of the lap, and passed him at the turn 14 hairpin after drafting the McLaren along.

Did You Know?

• This was Hamilton's fifth win of the 2008 season, not his first career win.
• Massa finished second after passing Räikkönen with seven laps remaining, with no mention of a puncture during the race.
• The race was held on a dry track, not a wet one.