Hamilton wins 2019 Chinese Grand Prix

While Hamilton had made a perfect start from second on the grid, Bottas rued his poor getaway that set the tone for the afternoon. "I lost [the race] at the start, otherwise the car was okay and the pace was similar. I got some wheelspin over the white line [after the starting grid] and lost it there."

Meanwhile, Vettel seemed resigned that Mercedes were quicker than Ferrari when it mattered this weekend. "We tried to stick with them, but we just couldn't. They were too quick, right from the start."

The result sees Mercedes continue their perfect start to the 2019 season, with three 1-2 finishes in as many races. Hamilton's win takes him to the top of the drivers' standings for the first time on 68 points, six points ahead of Bottas with Verstappen already some way adrift in third with 39 points.

The next round of the 2019 Formula 1 season is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 28.