Formula 1 predictions for the Chinese Grand Prix: F1’s Lewis Hamilton set to win in Shanghai on landmark 10th Anniversary

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Published: 9 April 2013

This Sunday is set to be a spectacular one in Formula One. With Kimi Raikkonen winning in Australia and Sebastian Vettel taking his most controversial win in Malaysia, Shanghai sets the scene for another exciting grand prix.

But who will triumph at the East Asian Shanghai International Circuit as it hosts a landmark tenth grand prix? Which drivers will make it onto the podium? And which teams will perform the best?

Motortrades Insight Editor Danny Hewitt takes a look back at past statistics and results from the nine F1 races in Shanghai, including recent form, to come to a winning conclusion.

Mercedes Chinese Grand Prix

Mercedes are set for a spectacular grand prix this weekend. Picture: Michael Elleray

McLaren have historically been the strongest team in recent years, taking three wins to match Ferrari who also achieved three victories at the Chinese GP in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Renault and Red Bull each achieved a win in 2005 and 2009 respectively, with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel shooting their cars to the finish line without drama on each occasion.

But last season, Mercedes won the Chinese Grand Prix. And not by luck either. Ross Brawn’s team dominated on the Saturday, with Nico Rosberg taking pole position, and then dominated again on Sunday, with the German winning by over 20 seconds to Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, who had both worked their way up to finish on the podium from 5th and 7th on the grid.

lewis hamilton mercedes cockpit

Michael Schumacher – who drove for Mercedes this time last year – qualified in third place on the Saturday, but retired after he drove off from the pit lane box before his new wheel had been properly fitted.

But with the last three grand prix - and four of the last five - having been won by Mercedes-powered cars, it is safe to believe that once again, a Mercedes-powered car will win in China.

With the feistiness and controlled aggression of Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes – last year’s winners – it is safe to say that he is most likely to win the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend.

kimi raikkonen lotus gp

Mercedes-powered cars have made up seven of the last 12 podium places up for grabs in the last three Chinese Grand Prix, with Mercedes engines dominating in East Asia last season.

But with McLaren struggling, while it is expected the Woking-based team will improve greatly this weekend, Sergio Perez and Jenson Button are not expected to be seen on the podium. So that leaves Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton as the best in-form Mercedes-powered prospects.

Lewis Hamilton is by far the fastest of the two and with odds of 9-1, the 2008 World Champion and two-times Chinese Grand Prix winner could further his record. Punters are set for a 3-1 windfall profit this weekend if the Brit finishes on the podium.

THE 2013 CHINESE GRAND PRIX PODIUM (Prediction)