Hamilton hoping to bite back with win in Chinese Grand Prix

Reigning Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton comes into the Chinese Grand Prix as the championship’s points leader, but he will need to be wary of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who surprising secured victory in the season’s second Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Previously dominant German driver Vettel, 4/1 with Coral to steer to a second consecutive win in China, is a danger to Hamilton, as the Englishman bids to retain his world crown this current campaign.

Mercedes racer Hamilton won the opening meeting in Australia, but four-time world champion Vettel bounced back with a triumph in Malaysia to blow the championship wide open. The current champion is 11/10 to record the fastest lap of the race on Shanghai’s exciting track.

Hamilton arrives on Chinese soil with 43 points while Vettel, currently driving in his maiden season for Ferrari, is second in the driver’s championship on 40 points. Third place is occupied by Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate and Vettel’s fellow countryman Nico Rosberg on 33.

Although, Mercedes’ main championship hope Hamilton is confident of adding a second victory of the season early in the campaign on a track he thoroughly enjoys.

“China has been a race that I have very much enjoyed over the years,” said Hamilton. “The fanbase they have there seems to be growing every year so it makes it an exceptional weekend for me.

“But the circuit is incredibly tough. It’s a lot of right-handers, very, very tough on the front tyres so front graining is the biggest issue. So it is really, really important to find a good balance.”

A highlight of the Shanghai circuit is turn one, which goes around a massive bend and then turns back on itself, proving difficult for drivers as the race reaches its latter laps.