Lewis Hamilton claims title in Chinese GP

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Chinese F1 Grand Prix at Shanghai International circuit April 17, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

SHANGHAI - Lewis Hamilton claimed the first race title for McLaren this season as he overtook Sebatian Vettel with only four laps to go to win the Chinese Grand Prix here on Sunday.

Starting from the third grid, the Briton clocked one hour, 36 minutes, 58.226 seconds to hit the finishing line first, snapping Vettel's winning streak since the start of the season.

The pole-sitter Vettel finished second with 5.198 seconds behind Hamilton. The German was eying a third consecutive title win but got his plan screwed after mechanical errors occured to his radio.

Vettel's teammate Mark Webber shrugged off the disadvantage of starting from the 18th grid and managed to cruise to the podium after beating Jenson Button of McLaren in the final laps.

The Australian finished the race in 1:37:05.781.

Although losing the title to Hamilton, Vettel is still leading the drivers' standings with 68 points, 21 clear of the Briton.

Nico Rosburg finished fifth, ahead of the Fararri duo Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso.

Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher collected 4 points after finishing eighth. While Vitaly Petrov of Renaults and Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber settled ninth and tenth respectively.