Rosberg wins maiden F1 race in China, Force India draw blank

Shanghai, April 15 (IANS) Nico Rosberg won his maiden Formula One race after coming out victorious in the Chinese Grand Prix here Sunday, giving his Mercedes team its first win since 1955. Sahara Force India's Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg finished 12th and 15th.

Rosberg, in his 111th Grand Prix, crossed the chequered flag 20.6 seconds ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button, who did well to gain three places from his grid position. Lewis Hamilton in the second McLaren grabbed the last podium spot after starting from seventh place.

Button also had the opportunity of winning the race but a mistake at his third and final stop ruined his chances.

Rosberg success meant the factory Mercedes team won a race since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix where Juan Manuel Fangio came on top.

"This is an unbelievable feeling. I am very happy, very excited. It has been a long time coming for me, and for the team also. It is finally there. It is amazing, and it is nice to see now how quickly we are progressing," said Rosberg of the team he joined in 2010.

The thrilling 56-lap race also saw a disappointment for Mercedes as Michael Schumacher retired on lap 13 due to an incorrectly fitted front wheel at his first stop. The seven-time World Champion was running second at the time of the incident.

Red Bull's Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel completed the top five.

Kimi Raikkonen struggled for grip in his Lotus, finishing 14th from fourth on the grid. Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi also disappointed as he came 10th from third.

Force India failed to finished amongst points for the first time in the season with the car clearly lacking pace in comparison to mid-field rivals Williams and Sauber.

Di Resta still drove a good race, gaining three grid positions while teammate Hulkenberg ended a place higher.