Date 16 October 2005 | Course length 5.451 km (3.387 mi) | |
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Official name II Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix Location Shanghai International Circuit
Shanghai, China Course Permanent Racing Facility Distance 56 laps, 305.066 km (189.559 mi) | ||
The 2005 Chinese Grand Prix was the final Formula One motor race of the 2005 Formula One season which took place on 16 October 2005 at the Shanghai International Circuit. This was the second Chinese Grand Prix to be held since the event's 2004 inception. The race was won by the new World Champion, Renault's Fernando Alonso. McLaren driver Kimi Räikkönen was four seconds behind in second position, a reflection of their season long duel for the championship. Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher was third. Renault won the Constructors' Championship at this race; they had led McLaren by two points before the start of the race. This was the final race for Antônio Pizzonia, the Minardi and Jordan teams, although both teams continued into 2006 under different names (Scuderia Toro Rosso and Midland F1 Racing respectively). This was also last win for a car equipped with a 6-speed gearbox.
Contents
Race
During a warm up lap as the cars were lining up on the grid from the pit lane, Christijan Albers and Michael Schumacher's cars collided. Both were forced to start from the pits in their teams' spare car, along with Narain Karthikeyan who also missed the start. Alonso dominated the race, taking a lights-to-flag victory, capping a best ever season for Renault which included victories in both titles. Renault's number two driver Giancarlo Fisichella's chances of making the podium ended when he received a drive-through penalty for obstructive driving in the pits during the second safety car period. He ended the race less than a second behind Ralf Schumacher. Red Bull Racing's Christian Klien had a career best drive to take fifth position with Felipe Massa, Mark Webber and Jenson Button completing the point scoring finishers. Räikkönen recorded the race's fastest lap, a record equalling tenth for the season.
Qualifying
Qualifying took place on October 15.