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Barrichello first to win in China

Rubens Barrichello claimed the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix yesterday, with Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher finishing a hard-luck weekend in 12th place, more than a lap behind.

"Certainly that was not my weekend, but I've had so many good weekends this year," said Schumacher, who had a record 12 victories and his seventh world title this season.

Barrichello finished the 56 laps on the newly completed 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit one second ahead of Jenson Button of BAR-Honda. Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren-Mercedes was third, almost catching Button at the end.

The victory is Barrichello's ninth of his Formula One career and second in a row following his win at the Italian GP two weeks ago. It guaranteed him second place in the drivers' table behind teammate Michael Schumacher, who concluded a disastrous weekend with a 12th place finish.

With two races left in the season, the top three places in the drivers standings are already decided. Schumacher with 136 points leads Barrichello on 108 in the standings, with Button in third place with 79.

"It's been a season I was playing catchup to Michael," Barrichello said. "Now I am going through a good phase," Barrichello said.

Renault's Fernando Alonso was fourth at Shanghai, 32 seconds behind, keeping the BAR-Honda and Renault team battle for second and third alive.

Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams was fifth after of BAR's Takuma Sato. Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa of Sauber-Petronas followed.

Barrichello, who has been second to Michael Schumacher seven times this season, has now beaten his teammate over the past two races. Schumacher finished second in Italy.

"I'm very happy that one car at least took the win. That's what is important," Schumacher said of Ferrari's result. "We came here for the first time to China, and it's a great moment for us as a team, as Ferrari, to put our name in the book of the opening winning race."

Button went for a two-stop race, initially carrying a lot of fuel.

"It was a very tough race, and you know the other guys are doing three stops and you are only two. It was very tough mentally," Button said. "With that much weight there is a lot of over steer. The car was a lot heavier."

Barrichello, starting from pole position, led virtually the entire way. Although Button held the lead while Barrichello pitted, the Brazilian had the race in hand from the start.

BAR-Honda now has 105 points compared to Renault's 96 in the team standings with two races to go to decide second and third place.

Jacques Villeneuve was 11th in his debut for Renault.

The next race is the Japanese Grand Prix Oct. 10.
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