Fernando Alonso takes honours in Chinese Grand Prix

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso took top honours as he won the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. (All AFP Images)

Fans getting into the mood as the Chinese Grand Prix gets underway.

Alonso celebrates in the event of winning the Chinese Grand Prix.

Alonso poses to the crowd in full after crossing the finish line.

Hamilton's lead from pole position lasted only till the 5th lap, when Alonso activated his DRS on the home straight, sneaking on the Briton's outside, then Alonso's team-mate Massa shot down Hamilton's inside.

Raikkonen was in the thick of it, suffering slight damage when Sergio Perez, of McLaren, attempted to snuff out the Finn's overtaking manoeuvre. "What the hell's he doing?!" exclaimed the straight-talking Raikkonen over the team radio.

The reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel came home fourth after adopting a different tyre strategy, while his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber failed to finish. Jenson Button, of McLaren, was fifth, and Felipe Massa sixth.

Paul di Resta brought his Force India back home in eighth place at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix here Sunday, getting his team's first points at the Shanghai International Circuit.

His teammate Adrian Sutil's race was ruined after he was hit from the back by Sauber rookie Esteban Gutierrez on Lap 4, damaging the rear wing of his car.

"It feels good, it is a long time from my victory here eight years ago," said the Spaniard, who narrowly lost out to Vettel for the world title last season.
Alonso said that he was delighted to get his season back on track after retiring early in Malaysia last month. The two-time world champion was second, behind the rejuvenated Raikkonen, in the season-opening race in Melbourne.

Going into the Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend, reigning three-time world champion Vettel leads the drivers' standings on 52 points, followed by Raikkonen (49), Alonso (43), Hamilton (40) and Massa (30).