Rosberg sweeps to third in a row
CHAMPION SEVENTH IN HIS DAMAGED CAR
German driver now leads his team-mate by 36 points.
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes handled less like a finely-honed racing car and more like a “four-poster bed” after the world champion damaged it in a first-corner collision in yesterday’s Chinese Grand Prix.
“It was like a four-poster bed today,” Hamilton, who started last and put in a feisty drive to battle his way up to seventh, said.
“The car was pretty damaged. I don’t know really, I’m sure it was some aero components. But I think the suspension was damaged as well so the car was flexing like crazy.”
Hamilton, who went into the weekend aiming to kick-start his title defence with a third successive win in Shanghai, was forced to start from the back of the grid after failing to set a time in Saturday’s qualifying session due to problems with his engine.
He made a good start but collided with Sauber’s Felipe Nasr, dislodging his front wing which then got wedged underneath the car, damaging its floor and affecting its handling.
The Briton used good old-fashioned racing nous to work his way to as high as third at one stage, but because of the damage, his car chewed through its tyres and his challenge faded.
“At the end there was nothing left in the tyres. Not a great finish for us this weekend, but hopefully onwards and upwards.”
Hamilton last mounted the top step of the podium at the U.S. Grand Prix in October, where he also clinched his third world title.
He arrived in China hoping to turn the tables on team-mate Nico Rosberg, who has won the last six races, including the opening three of the season.
Instead, he leaves trailing the German by 36 points in the standings.