Sport: Chinese grand prix gallery

Synonymous with bad weather, the Union flag flies above racing fans at the Shanghai International Circuit Photograph: Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images

Due to the rain, the field lines up behind the safety car for the start of the Chinese grand prix Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Chinese grid girls make their way in the rain after the drivers' parade Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Spectators brave the weather to watch the action in Shanghai Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Germany's Sebastian Vettel, of Red Bull, exits his team garage on his way to the starting line, where he is in pole position Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images

Vettel leads from Fernando Alonso as the race starts with the safety car out in front Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images

Jenson Button of Great Britain and Brawn GP presses after starting fifth on the grid Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Adrian Sutil of Force India tussles with Renault's Nelson Piquet in the wet Photograph: Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images

Ferrari's Felipe Massa speeds through the rain Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton heads into the McLaren pit Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Kazuki Nakajima of Williams loses grip on the track before retiring from the race Photograph: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images

Finland's Heikki Kovalainen leads his McLaren teammate Hamilton Photograph: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images

With the rain persisting, Toyota driver Timo Glock spins off the track Photograph: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images

Hamilton rounds a corner on his way to sixth Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Vettel passes the chequered flag to win his second grand prix, and Red Bull's first Photograph: Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images

Vettel celebrates on the podium after taking first place in the third race of the 2009 season Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Vettel and Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber celebrate in the usual fashion after a stunning one-two Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Vettel contemplates his victory. The young German now lies joint third in the standings Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images