Formula 1: Alonso remains near top of World Championship leader board
Fernando Alonso consolidated his position near the top of the Formula 1 World Championship in the Chinese Grand Prix. The Spaniard, whose Ferrari is equipped with dampers made by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, finished in ninth position and picked up two points in the third race of the season, putting him in third place in the drivers’ standings. The two-time world champion now trails the leader by a mere eight points.
Kamui Kobayashi of Japan also leaves China with another championship point under his belt. Kobayashi, whose Sauber-Ferrari likewise features ZF Friedrichshafen AG dampers, could have picked up more points, however, having started the race in third place.
Result GP China (RC), round 3, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 13 April-15 April 2012:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1h 36m 26.929s
2. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, + 20.626s
3. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, + 26.012s
4. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 27.924s
5. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, + 30.483s
6. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault, + 31.491s
7. Bruno Senna, Williams-Renault, + 34.597s
8. Pastor Maldonado, Williams-Renault, + 35.643s
9. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, + 37.256s, ZF
10. Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber-Ferrari, + 38.720s, ZF
Drivers’ World Championship standings:
1. L. Hamilton, 45 points; 2. J. Button, 43; 3. F. Alonso, 37; 4. M. Webber, 36; 5. S. Vettel, 28; 6. N. Rosberg, 25; 7. S. Pérez, 22; 8. K. Räikkönen, 16; 9. B. Senna, 14; 10. K. Kobayashi, 9.
Manufacturers’ World Championship standings:
1. McLaren-Mercedes, 88 points; 2. Red Bull-Renault, 64; 3. Ferrari, 37; 4. Sauber-Ferrari, 31; 5. Mercedes, 26; 6. Lotus-Renault, 24; 7. Williams-Renault, 18; 8. Force India-Mercedes, 9; 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 6.