Hamilton wins Chinese Grand Prix

SHANGHAI – Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday but was denied the world championship by title rival Felipe Massa, who finished second.

McLaren’s Hamilton led throughout for a straightforward win but he remains just seven points ahead of Massa, taking the championship to a dramatic final race in Brazil next month. “A fantastic race, the car was a dream to drive for me,” said Hamilton.”All weekend we had God on our side as always and the team did a perfect job.The car’s been fantastic all weekend.”Ferrari’s outgoing champion Kimi Raikkonen was third after conceding second place to Massa late on.Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Renault was fourth.BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld finished fifth ahead of his team-mate Robert Kubica, the only other title contender, who finished sixth to end his slim championship hopes.Hamilton, 23, is bidding to become both the youngest and the first black driver to win the world title after throwing away a commanding lead in the standings in his rookie season last year.”This is a completely different situation to last year,” said Hamilton, who now has 94 points and Massa 87 after coming home nearly 15 seconds clear.”Brazil will be very different this time.”The Briton, who has faced strong criticism of his aggressive racing, may have silenced some of his detractors with this convincing display of smooth front-running.He avoided the fireworks seen at the start of the Japan Grand Prix last week in a clean start from pole position, followed by Ferrari’s Raikkonen and Massa.Nampa-AFP”A fantastic race, the car was a dream to drive for me,” said Hamilton.”All weekend we had God on our side as always and the team did a perfect job.The car’s been fantastic all weekend.”Ferrari’s outgoing champion Kimi Raikkonen was third after conceding second place to Massa late on.Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Renault was fourth.BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld finished fifth ahead of his team-mate Robert Kubica, the only other title contender, who finished sixth to end his slim championship hopes.Hamilton, 23, is bidding to become both the youngest and the first black driver to win the world title after throwing away a commanding lead in the standings in his rookie season last year.”This is a completely different situation to last year,” said Hamilton, who now has 94 points and Massa 87 after coming home nearly 15 seconds clear.”Brazil will be very different this time.”The Briton, who has faced strong criticism of his aggressive racing, may have silenced some of his detractors with this convincing display of smooth front-running.He avoided the fireworks seen at the start of the Japan Grand Prix last week in a clean start from pole position, followed by Ferrari’s Raikkonen and Massa.Nampa-AFP