Red Bull's Vettel and Webber celebrate their 1-2 in Shanghai
This is the most topsy-turvy start to a Grand Prix season in many a year. First we have a rookie team – Brawn GP, which didn’t even exist a few weeks ago – taking the lead and winning the first two races of the season. And now, in Shanghai at the Chinese Grand Prix, Red Bull has achieved its first ever F1 win with a stunning 1-2 by drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
After two days of high temperatures and sunshine the Shanghai Grand Prix set off in a procession behind the safety car in torrential rain, and stayed that way for the first eight laps. But when the cars got away, still engulfed with spray and rain, it was pole-sitter Vettel who got away best, and stayed there for the rest of the race.
Vettel’s success owes much to the Red Bull car and his talent, but was helped by a tussle between Australian Webber and Jenson Button for second place. There were many moments in that tussle, but it was Webber who triumphed, with his highest ever finish, in second place, with Button coming home a very creditable third (with Barrichello in fourth). The win gave the Renault-engined cars of Red Bull a clean sweep, with Brawn taking third and fourth and McLaren fifth and sixth (to give Mercedes four places in the top six).
Rain is always a great leveller of cars, and Sebastian Vettel certainly showed his credentials with a very mature drive under extremely difficult conditions. On the day, Brawn GP simply weren’t quick enough, but its going to be interesting to see what happens in the next race – in Bahrain – were there is precious little chance of rain. Will Brawn re-assert its mastery, or will Red Bull keep on coming?
Ferrari had another dismal day and failed to score, but McLaren seem to have got there act together to finish fifth and sixth.
As we’ve said before – it’s going to be an interesting F1 season.
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