A delighted Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to McLaren's pit team after a tactically perfect race saw him move into second behind Sebastian Vettel in the F1 drivers' championship, while Jenson Button was left to rue his pit-lane blunder. The 26-year-old McLaren driver, world champion in 2008, surged through the field on fresh tires in the closing stages before brilliantly passing the German with less than five laps remaining. The win in Shanghai was the 15th victory of Hamilton's Formula One career and brought Vettel's recent winning streak to an end.
"I'm overwhelmed. There is a long road ahead of us but I’m absolutely over the moon. It feels like a long time since I’ve been sitting here,” said Hamilton, whose previous victory came in Belgium last August.
Hamilton tactically outsmarted the 23-year-old German who had pitted earlier and whose worn-out treads cost him speed in the closing laps.
"A big thumbs up to the guys back at factory, who put their heart into making the car what it is on the GP weekend. It feels amazing," said Hamilton.
