Raikkonen wins while Alonso is back

F1 Grand Prix, GP China, Shanghai International Ciruit

Kimi Raikkonen has clinched a weather dominated race ahead of Alonso and his Ferrari teammate Massa. The most important event of the day however may be the retirement of Hamilton after ending up in the gravel trap. Alonso is therefore 4 points behind his teammate in the title race while Raikkonen is also still a possible champion. Vettel meanwhile enjoyed his 4th place as a victory for Toro Rosso.

With a typhoon coming to China, this year's GP promises again to be a mixed weather race, similar to last year.

Just ahead of the start of the race, rain started falling down at some places on the track. At the time the cars launch away, the starting grid is still rather dry but just one single lap later all the track is as wet as it can be.

The start itself is a close battle as Alonso passed Massa on the outside of the first corner but then lost the third place again in the next. Consequence to the rain, the first lap was very tense in the pack of the field but neither of the drivers could really make a remarkable start. Barrichello and Davidson however touch in the second lap and spin off only to rejoin at the back of the field. Ralf Schumacher is another victim of the start as he fell back from 9th on the grid to last place, also after touching a Super Aguri.

While the rain is predicted to last only 20 minutes, 5 laps down the race Liuzzi is already in 6th place as he moved up from 11th. Both Renaults on the other hand are in trouble with Kovalainen especially complaining of massive understeer. More at the front, Hamilton pulls a gap after putting in some fastest laps. He is 5 seconds ahead of Raikkonen.

9 laps in the race, the rain has stopped and the track is rapidly drying on the racing line. Mark Webber is immediately told to preserve his tyres as Red Bull is expecting more rain soon. 4 laps later Davidson has nothing to save anymore as he retires with apparent technical failure.

In lap 15 Hamilton displays why he was quick yesterday as he is the first to pit. He stops to refuel but retains the same wet weather tyres as it is still way too early to switch to dry compounds. 2 laps later Massa is in while Raikkonen puts in record times on the track. Alonso is in one lap later, keeps the same tyres and rejoins behind Massa. It's Kimi's turn one lap later and he retakes his second place albeit closer to Hamilton than before.

Ralf Schumacher is now slowly making up ground after his disastrous start. It is a well needed performance for the German if he wants to stay in F1 over the winter. He is 12th just behind Liuzzi. Half a lap later he is however a little optimistic by taking the outside of Vitantonio but turning in too quickly, a bit of a shabby drive in contrast to his performance in eearlier laps. Ralf is hit on the rear right tyre and ends up to change tyres in the pitlane after losing considerable positions.

Both Red Bulls and Wurz has meanwhile switched to slicks and Wurz immediately puts in the fastest lap on the option compound. Lots of teams quickly follow suit including Massa. Both McLarens still stay out and profit from the rain that follows just seconds later. Kimi Raikkonen has meanwhile is in the rear of Hamilton as he made up for his 5 second deficit. In lap 28 a pass is reality as Hamilton is visibly struggling with his tyres.

Several drivers are going off as most of them are driving on worn wets or brand new slicks. Adrian Sutil is out as a result while Rosberg is passed by both Renaults in the same corner.

In lap 30, the rain has again stopped and Hamilton is running on the tyre thread of his right rear wheel. The tyre is on the verge of exploding and Hamilton loses considerable time to a charging Alonso. At the time Hamilton enters the pitlane, Alonso is just behind him. Just in the entrance however the Briton slips off the track and ends up hopelessly in a ridiculously small gravel trap. In a surprise event, Hamilton is now out of the race while Alonso is second behind Raikkonen. The Spaniard on his behalf enters the pit one lap later with Raikkonen and has Massa on his tail as he comes out.

Kubica is consequently in the lead of the race but only for one single lap as he abandons with a hydraulic problem. Jenson Button in 5th is also putting in his word as he notes the fastest lap of the race thus far and manages to pass Vettel to get 4th place. Behind the duo, Fisichella is also moving up as he passes the other Toro Rosso of Liuzzi. Nick Heidfeld at this time marks a single point in 8th place.

At the front, Raikkonen is 8 seconds ahead of Alonso. Massa is 5 seconds down on the Spaniard while Button is 4th, a further 6 seconds down.

In lap 43, Button enters the pitlane for his second stop and rejoins in 6th, just behind Fisichella who is also about to make his second stop.

Only 7 laps to go and Kovalainen is surprisingly ahead of his teammate. He had massive problems to drive his Renault in the wet but apears to come out strong. He passes Webber for P9.

Raikkonen wins this race in a solid way, ahead of Alonso and Massa. Vettel is a magnificent 4th, ahead of Button, Liuzzi, Heidfeld and Coulthard.