Feature: Five of the best F1 Chinese Grands Prix

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, China, on April 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Five of the best F1 Chinese Grands Prix.

By F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- With the COVID-19 pandemic having decimated global sport in 2020, Formula 1's Chinese Grand Prix - originally scheduled to be held this weekend - is just one event that has fallen by the wayside.

Ever-present on the F1 calendar since 2004, the Shanghai event has thrown up more than its fair share of classic encounters, with changeable weather conditions frequently adding to the drama.

As the COVID-19 situation in China continues to stabilize and improve, there remains a faint hope that the 2020 Chinese Grand Prix may be rescheduled for later in the year. In the meantime, Xinhua takes a look back at five of the best F1 races to have been held at the challenging Shanghai International Circuit.

2004: Barrichello wins debut event

Over 10 years after the idea was first mooted, the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix was held in 2004 at the then-new Shanghai circuit. Eager to see their heroes in action for the first time, more than 200,000 spectators came through the turnstiles to see Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello take a hard-fought victory after a race-long battle with the McLaren of Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button's BAR.

And though Barrichello's teammate Michael Schumacher had already scooped the 2004 drivers' title in a dominant year, he was uncharacteristically error-prone in Shanghai. The German started from the rear of the grid after spinning in qualifying, and finished the race a lowly 12th following another spin, a collision with Christian Klien's Red Bull and a puncture.

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher celebrates his win on the podium at Formula 1 Grand Prix of China in Shanghai, October 1, 2006. Schumacher claimed the title in 1 hour 37 minutes and 32.747 seconds. (Xinhua Photo/Fan Jun)

2006: Schumacher takes final victory

The 2006 event played host to a thrilling duel between title rivals Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, as the two protagonists found their cars' sweet spots at different stages of the race. In wet conditions, Alonso's Renault pulled away from his pole position and set about building a handsome lead, while Schumacher struggled on his Ferrari's harder Bridgestone tyres.

However, as the rain eased and a dry line emerged, the German found a better balance and began reeling in Alonso, whose softer Michelin tyres were starting to lose grip. The Spaniard continued to lose time and positions until a late-race stop for slick tyres, with the track now almost dry.

There followed a great chase, as Alonso's car was by far the quickest in these conditions, and he repeatedly set fastest laps as he closed on Schumacher. However, the German held firm to score his 91st and final Grand Prix win, also drawing level on points with Alonso in the 2006 title race with two races to go.

2007: Hamilton's title bid hits the skids

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, China, on April 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

The F1 circus headed to Shanghai in 2007 with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton on the verge of an unprecedent title win in his rookie year, and when the Briton led the field away from his pole position, it looked as if everything was falling into place.

But as the track dried around halfway through the race, Hamilton began to struggle with tyre wear and was caught and passed by the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen. His right-rear tyre having worn down to its canvas, Hamilton came into the pits for new wheels, but slid wide on the tight entry to the pit lane and agonizingly beached his McLaren in the gravel trap.

Unable to get going again, Hamilton could only watch as Raikkonen took the race win, setting up a classic three-way championship battle at the final round in Brazil along with Hamilton's teammate Fernando Alonso.

2010: Button wins big with strategy gamble

McLaren driver Jenson Button (R) of Britain celebrates his victory on the podium after winning the Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, east China, April 18, 2010. Button won the crown in 1 hour 46 minutes and 42.163 seconds. (Xinhua/Fan Jun) (xm)

In yet another wet-dry Chinese Grand Prix, McLaren's Jenson Button showed his mastery of slippery conditions. After a rain shower at the start of the race, the Briton opted to stay out on track with his slick tyres, while rivals such as teammate Lewis Hamilton and the two Red Bulls darted into the pits for intermediates.

Alas, with the rain quickly subsiding, this proved to be the wrong call, as Button was able to continue setting competitive lap times on his original rubber. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was also out of contention after a penalty for a jump-start, and Button soon passed Mercedes' Nico Rosberg to take the lead.

Though he was given a scare late in the race by a recovering Hamilton, who reeled him in on fresher rubber at around two seconds per lap, Button's smooth driving style helped him nurse his worn tyres to the end and hold on to take a classy victory.

2018: Fresh rubber helps Ricciardo take the spoils

Red Bull's driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates with his trophy on the podium after winning the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, east China, April 15, 2018. He claimed the title in 1 hour, 35 minutes and 36.380 seconds. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)(dx)

With Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel settling into an early lead from his pole position, and Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas taking the lead after the first round of pitstops, this race seemed set to be a battle royale between the championship's two leading marques.

However, the event was blown wide open by a mid-race safety car period, during which the quick-thinking Red Bull team called their drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen in for a new set of tyres.

It proved to be an inspired move. While Verstappen delivered an error-strewn performance, running wide while overtaking Bottas' teammate Hamilton and later tangling with Vettel, Ricciardo drove like a man possessed, slicing his way past Kimi Raikkonen, Hamilton and Vettel, and finally overtaking Bottas to take a lead he would hold to the flag.