Chinese Grand Prix 2012 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nico Rosberg claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, converting pole position into a commanding win that gave Mercedes their first victory since returning to the sport as a works team. The German driver led from start to finish at the Shanghai International Circuit, holding off a charging Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to secure an emotional breakthrough triumph that marked the third different winner in three races and further emphasized 2012's unprecedented competitiveness.

Rosberg's pole lap had been exceptional, and he converted that qualifying brilliance into a perfect start, immediately establishing a gap over the chasing pack. The Mercedes W03 had shown flashes of pace throughout the early season but suffered from reliability issues and tire degradation problems. In Shanghai, everything came together perfectly. Rosberg managed his tires expertly across his three-stop strategy, maintaining enough pace to stay ahead while preserving his Pirellis better than his rivals. His radio message after crossing the line - "Yes! My first win! Yes!" - captured the emotion of a driver who had waited 111 races for this moment.

Button drove brilliantly to finish second for McLaren, recovering from a difficult qualifying session to mount a strong challenge in the race's closing stages. Hamilton completed an all-British podium in third place, ensuring McLaren left China with solid championship points despite lacking the outright pace to challenge for victory. The McLaren MP4-27 was clearly fast but plagued by reliability gremlins that would cost both drivers dearly as the season progressed. Rosberg's victory meant Formula 1 had witnessed three different winners from three different teams in the opening three races - a pattern that would continue to unprecedented lengths and leave the championship wide open heading into the European season.