2005 Chinese Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Fernando Alonso rounded off his championship season with victory in China and secured Renault’s first constructors’ title. Kimi Räikkönen finished second, while Ralf Schumacher completed the podium in an eventful Shanghai finale.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Fernando Alonso	Renault
Pole time	1:34.080
Fastest lap	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Fastest-lap time	1:33.242 on lap 56
First	Fernando Alonso	Renault
Second	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Third	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
14 October 2005	Practice 1	11:00
14 October 2005	Practice 2	14:00
15 October 2005	Practice 3	09:00
15 October 2005	Practice 4	10:15
15 October 2005	Qualifying	13:00
16 October 2005	Race	14:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Fernando Alonso arrived at round 19 leading the 2005 F1 World Championship on 123 points, with Kimi Räikkönen on 104. Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 176 points.

Race entries

The race line-ups were unchanged for the final round. De la Pedro de la Rosa, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Ricardo Zonta and Kiesa handled additional Friday running. The weekend also marked the final races under the existing identities of BAR, Jordan and Sauber before their changes of ownership or name for the following season.

Free Practice

De la Pedro de la Rosa led Friday morning on a dusty Shanghai circuit, with several drivers finding the limits of grip. Kimi Räikkönen went off more than once, and Giancarlo Fisichella’s spin into the gravel restricted him to five laps. Jarno Trulli was learning the track after missing its inaugural race the previous year, while both Toyota drivers struggled with understeer and low grip.

De la Pedro de la Rosa remained fastest in the afternoon, closely followed by Ricardo Zonta. Antonio Pizzonia spun and damaged his rear suspension, Christian Klien suffered a puncture and David Coulthard also spun. Jarno Trulli stopped late with a suspected clutch problem after a useful spell of learning the circuit, leaving Toyota with mechanical checks as well as balance work overnight.

Kimi Räikkönen led Juan Pablo Montoya in Saturday’s first practice, extending McLaren’s strong showing. Toyota’s difficulties carried over from Friday: neither race driver found the grip or balance he wanted, despite completing fuller programmes. Jarno Trulli’s limited prior experience added to the challenge of separating circuit characteristics from the new car’s handling problems.

Kimi Räikkönen again led a McLaren one-two in final practice. Toyota continued trying to make its tyres work consistently, but Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher remained well down the order. Their unresolved understeer meant qualifying would depend on extracting a clean lap from an uncomfortable car, while McLaren appeared well placed for the constructors’ decider.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2005 Chinese Grand Prix FP1, 14 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	1:33.463	20
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.840s	13
3	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+1.910s	24
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+2.018s	5
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+2.031s	12
6	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+2.058s	9
7	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+2.142s	10
8	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+2.482s	13
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+2.626s	10
10	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.633s	11
11	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+2.745s	12
12	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+3.366s	11
13	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+3.403s	13
14	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing	+3.656s	24
15	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+3.660s	11
16	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+3.680s	5
17	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+4.027s	8
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+4.225s	7
19	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+4.301s	9
20	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+4.845s	15
21	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+5.625s	11
22	39	Nicolas Kiesa	Jordan	+6.224s	21
23	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+7.261s	14
24	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+7.324s	13

Free Practice 2 Classification

2005 Chinese Grand Prix FP2, 14 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	1:32.834	30
2	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+0.143s	29
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.258s	14
4	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.392s	24
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+1.707s	16
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.784s	24
7	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+2.098s	28
8	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+2.201s	24
9	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.238s	25
10	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+2.362s	26
11	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+2.367s	19
12	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing	+2.472s	26
13	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+2.563s	24
14	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+2.733s	24
15	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+2.779s	19
16	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+2.875s	13
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+3.060s	21
18	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+3.217s	20
19	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+3.245s	26
20	39	Nicolas Kiesa	Jordan	+3.810s	25
21	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+4.159s	22
22	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+4.339s	21
23	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+4.601s	11
24	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+4.633s	18

Free Practice 3 Classification

2005 Chinese Grand Prix FP3, 15 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:34.253	6
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+0.193s	6
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+0.219s	8
4	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.378s	4
5	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+0.496s	12
6	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.751s	6
7	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.043s	9
8	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+1.208s	9
9	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.279s	8
10	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+1.422s	13
11	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.728s	10
12	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+1.729s	8
13	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.741s	10
14	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.847s	13
15	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.998s	10
16	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+3.302s	6
17	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+3.310s	10
18	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+3.819s	6
19	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+4.444s	10

Free Practice 4 Classification

2005 Chinese Grand Prix FP4, 15 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:33.212	12
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	+0.342s	12
3	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.581s	13
4	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.180s	11
5	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.241s	14
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.323s	12
7	3	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.517s	12
8	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.595s	11
9	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	+1.623s	10
10	7	Mark Webber	Williams	+1.792s	8
11	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.895s	13
12	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+1.967s	13
13	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	+2.068s	17
14	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	+2.098s	3
15	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+2.159s	15
16	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	+2.276s	8
17	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+2.481s	13
18	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	+3.185s	15
19	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	+3.205s	11
20	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	+3.346s	14

Qualifying

Renault overturned McLaren’s practice advantage with Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella locking out the front row. Kimi Räikkönen qualified third ahead of Jenson Button and Juan Pablo Montoya. It was the ideal starting position for Renault as the two teams arrived separated by just two constructors’ points.

Ralf Schumacher qualified ninth and Jarno Trulli twelfth after Toyota’s difficult practice. The one-lap format placed particular pressure on early runners as the dusty track evolved, and Jarno Trulli struggled to find grip. At the front, Renault now had the opportunity to control the race from the start.

Qualifying Classification

2005 Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying, 15 October 2005

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:34.080	3
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:34.401	3
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:34.488	3
4	3	Jenson Button	BAR	1:34.801	3
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	1:35.188	3
6	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:35.301	3
7	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	1:35.428	3
8	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:35.610	3
9	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	1:35.723	3
10	7	Mark Webber	Williams	1:35.739	3
11	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	1:35.898	3
12	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:36.044	3
13	8	Antônio Pizzonia	Williams	1:36.445	3
14	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	1:36.472	3
15	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	1:36.707	3
16	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	1:36.788	3
17	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	1:37.083	3
18	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	1:39.105	3
19	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	1:39.233	3
20	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	1:39.460	3

What happened in the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix?

Before the start, Michael Schumacher and Christijan Albers collided on their reconnaissance laps and had to switch to spare cars, starting from the pit lane. Fernando Alonso led away and controlled the race. A loose drain cover damaged Juan Pablo Montoya’s car and prompted a safety-car period; the McLaren later retired with engine trouble.

Narain Karthikeyan’s heavy accident caused another interruption, while Michael Schumacher spun out under the safety car. Giancarlo Fisichella received a drive-through penalty for obstructive driving in the pit lane, costing him a podium place. Fernando Alonso retained command through the disruptions as Kimi Räikkönen pursued him.

Fernando Alonso won from Kimi Räikkönen and Ralf Schumacher, with Giancarlo Fisichella fourth. Christian Klien, Felipe Massa, Mark Webber and Jenson Button completed the points. Renault secured the constructors’ championship to add to Fernando Alonso’s drivers’ crown, closing the season with both titles.

After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 133 points, followed by Kimi Räikkönen on 112. Renault led the constructors’ table on 191, with McLaren on 182.

2005 Chinese Grand Prix race results

The 2005 Chinese Grand Prix was held on 16 October 2005, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	56	1:39:53.618	10
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	56	+4.015	8
3	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	56	+25.376	6
4	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	56	+26.114	5
5	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	56	+31.839	4
6	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	56	+36.400	3
7	7	Mark Webber	Williams	56	+36.842	2
8	3	Jenson Button	BAR	56	+41.249	1
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	56	+44.247	0
10	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	56	+59.977	0
11	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	56	+1:24.648	0
12	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	56	+1:32.812	0
13	8	Antônio Pizzonia	Williams	55	Tyre	0
14	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	55	Out of fuel	0
15	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	55	+1 lap	0
16	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	51	Wheel nut	0
Ret	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	34	Gearbox	0
Ret	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	28	Accident	0
Ret	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	24	Engine	0
Ret	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	22	Spun off	0

Michael Schumacher, Narain Karthikeyan and Christijan Albers started from the pit lane.

2005 Chinese Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	56	1:33.242	210.458
2	5	Fernando Alonso	Renault	45	1:33.536	209.797
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	54	1:33.563	209.736
4	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	43	1:33.727	209.369
5	17	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	44	1:34.035	208.684
6	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	43	1:34.094	208.553
7	7	Mark Webber	Williams	53	1:34.271	208.161
8	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren	15	1:34.501	207.654
9	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams	52	1:34.560	207.525
10	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	54	1:34.585	207.470
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber	53	1:34.713	207.190
12	3	Jenson Button	BAR	53	1:34.766	207.074
13	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	18	1:35.011	206.540
14	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	16	1:35.347	205.812
15	4	Takuma Sato	BAR	17	1:35.587	205.295
16	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	16	1:35.877	204.674
17	18	Tiago Monteiro	Jordan	13	1:36.563	203.220
18	20	Robert Doornbos	Minardi	54	1:36.894	202.526
19	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi	48	1:37.215	201.857
20	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan	17	1:37.398	201.478

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2005 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix.

2005 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	133
2	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	112
3	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	62
4	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	McLaren	60
5	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Renault	58
6	Ralf Schumacher	German	Toyota	45
7	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Toyota	43
8	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	38
9	Jenson Button	British	BAR	37
10	Mark Webber	Australian	Williams	36
11	Nick Heidfeld	German	Williams	28
12	David Coulthard	British	Red Bull Racing	24
13	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Sauber	11
14	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	Sauber	9
15	Christian Klien	Austrian	Red Bull Racing	9
16	Tiago Monteiro	Portuguese	Jordan	7
17	Alexander Wurz	Austrian	McLaren	6
18	Narain Karthikeyan	Indian	Jordan	5
19	Christijan Albers	Dutch	Minardi	4
20	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	McLaren	4
21	Patrick Friesacher	Austrian	Minardi	3
22	Antônio Pizzonia	Brazilian	Williams	2
23	Takuma Sato	Japanese	BAR	1
24	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian	Red Bull Racing	1
25	Robert Doornbos	Dutch	Minardi	0
–	Ricardo Zonta	Brazilian	Toyota	0
–	Anthony Davidson	British	BAR	0

2005 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Renault	191
2	McLaren	182
3	Ferrari	100
4	Toyota	88
5	Williams	66
6	BAR	38
7	Red Bull Racing	34
8	Sauber	20
9	Jordan	12
10	Minardi	7

2005 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2005 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	6 March
2	2005 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	20 March
3	2005 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	3 April
4	2005 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	24 April
5	2005 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	8 May
6	2005 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	22 May
7	2005 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	29 May
8	2005 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	12 June
9	2005 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	19 June
10	2005 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	3 July
11	2005 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	10 July
12	2005 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	24 July
13	2005 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	31 July
14	2005 Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park, Istanbul	21 August
15	2005 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	4 September
16	2005 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	11 September
17	2005 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	25 September
18	2005 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	9 October
19	2005 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	16 October