The fourth Grand Prix of the season in Shanghai provided one of the most exciting Formula 1 races for a long time.  There were crashes, a fair bit of rain and plenty of overtaking! It was the all-British team at McLaren which came out on top recording its first one-two since Monaco 2007.

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton started on the grid next to each other in fifth and sixth place, both had been hoping for better in qualifying. The first raindrops started to land only a couple of laps into the race, Button made another outstanding call just like he did in Australia to stay out on the slick tyres when everyone but himself, Nico Rosberg and the Renaults decided to switch to the intermediates. This left Button challenging for the lead, but his team mate had his work cut out to battle his way through the midfield.

Midway through the race and the safety car was deployed. Button backed the whole field up to within a few metres of each other which caused havoc when racing resumed. It was the 2008 World Champion who benefited most from the safety car as Hamilton managed to squeeze through a Red Bull sandwich to get him higher up the field.

Some inspired driving in the rain saw Lewis Hamilton pass both Red Bulls, both Mercedes, both Renaults and Adrian Sutil on his way to a breathtaking second place, which also involved some wheel to wheel shunting in the pits with Sebastian Vettel. By the end of the race Hamilton closed within a couple of seconds to his team mate but Button had the experience to hang on.

It was clearly Button’s decision-making which won him the race just like earlier in Australia. After the race he said:

“It was a tricky race and we called it right. It’s not just about being quick – it’s about reading the conditions.”

After the race Hamilton admitted he’d made the wrong choice changing to the intermediates too early.

“Jenson made the better choice on the tyres. It wasn’t easy making the call when to change the tyres. I chose very late halfway around the last corner. Clearly it wasn’t the right choice.”

Today was an outstanding result for the McLaren team, both their drivers deserved the points they got. Jenson’s cool head meant he didn’t have to do so many pit stops so he managed to stay in front, another excellent piece of decision-making. Lewis Hamilton has shown that this year he is by far the best driver when it comes to overtaking and he’s been so unlucky not to get a win this year, but surely that will all change soon.

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