F1: Lewis Hamilton takes China GP

And so ahead of the Chinese grand prix, F1 is in the new and quite unfamiliar situation of another race in which the outcome is basically completely unknown.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says third and fourth was the maximum for his team in China, though he thinks the team was helped by Ferrari leaving Kimi Raikkonen in "no man's land" late in the race.

Mercedes, meanwhile, lead the constructors' standings by one point over Ferrari. "To get into these kind of conversations, or discussions, usually there is no point". But that didn't happen and my feeling grew stronger. "So I'm excited for that".

"It looks like we are very close on pace with Ferrari".

When asked if it was fair to suggest that the 2017 Ferrari F1 vehicle is more comfortable for Vettel than it is for Raikkonen, Marchionne said: "Absolutely no".

"What the hell is happening out of turn 12?" he complained.

"For me there was no risk to come in [for slicks]", he said.

"Of course he threw it away behind the Safety Car, but it happens to the best", he added. "He is performing at his best, he is rapid out there. I couldn't go early on the power".

But the championship momentum now rests with Hamilton ahead of the second of this back-to-back instalment in Bahrain on Sunday. "But I think we know what we want to do".

The Brit started from pole position and led from beginning to end to capture the 54th race title of his career and his first of the new Formula One season.

Despite being forced to settle for second in the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, Sebastian Vettel was happy with the result, and the German admitted to having a lot of fun during the race at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Hamilton started from pole position but the conditions were a bit of a lottery for all the drivers with the track damp in places but drying quickly.

With both teams showing equal pace at the top, there will likely be plenty of other opportunities for close races this season. Despite failing to finish, Alonso - a double world champion who will be remembered as one of the finest drivers to step into a Formula One cockpit - called his performance "incredible" and "one of the best things that has happened to me". "And Ferrari are at their best in years", Hamilton said.

"I'm sure of that but that's not something I'm focusing on, at the moment it's about getting good points for the team and going step by step".

The Australian struggled for front grip in the first part of the race and, after initially running second, was passed by both team-mate Max Verstappen and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel.

After finishing a distant fourth in Australia, Raikkonen struggled in China and crossed the line fifth despite Ferrari's vehicle being a match for Mercedes on pure pace.