Currently reading: Hamilton's Chinese GP win - pics
McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton fought hard to clinch this weekend's race victory in Shanghai

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton claimed his first Formula 1 victory this season at the Shanghai Grand Prix.

In this year's most exciting race to date, Hamilton clinched the win from current champ Sebastian Vettel with just four laps remaining, following a more successful, three stop strategy as opposed to Vettel’s two-stopper.

See all the best pics from the Shanghai GP

Described by the 2008 champion as “one of my best races”, Hamilton had to first fend-off team-mate and early leader Jenson Button as well as Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa and the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg.

“This race is in my top three of race wins. It's up there with Silverstone and Monaco in 2008,” said Hamilton.

The weekend’s result is Hamilton’s first win for eight months.

Shanghai grand prix result, 56 laps (all timings unofficial)

1. Lewis Hamilton 1h36:582. Sebastian Vettel +5.1983. Mark Webber +7.5554. Jenson Button +10.0005. Nico Rosberg +13.4486. Felipe Massa +15.8407. Fernando Alonso +30.6228. Michael Schumacher +31.2069. Vitaly Petrov +57.40410. Kamui Kobayashi +1:03.273

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