Barrichello wins inaugural Chinese Grand Prix (with results)

Rubens Barrichello, in a Ferrari, edged BAR's Jenson Button to win the first-ever Fromula One race in China on September 26.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello (C) of Ferrari celebrates after winning the inaugural Chinese Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, September 26, 2004.

The Brazilian, starting from the pole, took the chequered flag for a second time in succession this season after the Monza race, 1.0 seconds ahead of Button.

It was Barrichello's ninth career win, and Ferrari's 14th in 16 races this year.

Kimi Raikkonen, driving a McLaren-Mercedes, ended third after running second for the initial stage of the 56 laps. The last few laps saw a breathtaking battle between him and Button, with Button leading a mere 0.4 seconds in the end.

Fernando Alonso of Renault was a distant fourth, 32.5 seconds behind Button and followed by Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya.

Another BAR driver Takuma Sato was sixth, starting from the back of the grid after an engine change.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari (R) gets a kiss from his wife after winning the inaugural Chinese Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, September 26, 2004.

The 11 points collected by the Honda-powered team will be a major boost on their way to the second place in constructors' standings.

World champion Michael Schumacher, who started from the pitlane after changed the engine, failed to repeat his extraordinary performance in Monza.

Schumacher spun at the 13th turn in his 14th lap and with 21 laps remaining, he was forced into the pits on a flat left rear tyre. He ended 12th and it's the second race this season that he returned empty-handed.

The German, who won an unprecedented seventh title last month in Belgium, also spun off in Saturday's qualifying.

Sunday's race was the last to be added to F1's crowded calendar, with the Formula One race now moving to Japan before the finale in Brazil.

Official Results of Chinese Grand Prix

Following are the official results of Sunday's Chinese Formula One Grand Prix:

1. Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari, 1:29:12.420

2. Jenson Button, BAR, 1:29:13.455, +1.035 seconds

3. Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, 1:29:13.889, +1.469

4. Fernando Alonso, Renault, 1:29:44.930, +32.510

5. Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams, 1:29:57.631, +45.193

6. Takuma Sato, BAR, 1:30:07.211, +54.791

7. Giancarlo Fisichella, Sauber, 1:30:17.884, +1:05.464

8. Felipe Massa, Sauber, 1:30:32.500, +1:20.080

9. David Coulthard, McLaren, 1:30:33.039, +1:20.619

10. Mark Webber, Jaguar, 1:29:12.531, +1 lap

11. Jacques Villeneuve, Renault, 1:29:12.708, +1 lap

12. Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 1:29:22.312, +1 lap

13. Nick Heidfeld, Jordan, 1:29:40.248, +1 lap

14. Olivier Panis, Toyota, 1:29:41.045, +1 lap

15. Timo Glock, Jordan, 1:30:11.738, +1 lap

16. Zsolt Baumgartner, Minardi, 1:30:38.646, +3 laps

Not classified (did not finish):

Gianmaria Bruni, Minardi, 38 laps completed

Ralf Schumacher, Williams 37

Ricardo Zonta, Toyota 35

Christian Klien, Jaguar 11

Race distance: 56 laps (305.256 km)

Fastest lap: Michael Schumacher 1:32.238 on lap 55 (average speed 212.749kph)

Source: Xinhua