* Engine Change - drops 10 places on the grid
* relegated 5 places for impeding Kovalainen

The pattern always seems the same with Lewis Hamilton seeming to have to settle for fourth best time, but once again he put in that sensational lap to take pole position, demoting the two favourites Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa to second and third giving him that important two car gap between him and Fernando Alonso, who needs be in front of the rookie tomorrow to have any chance of carrying the fight for the world championship to Brazil.  If he does not then Lewis Hamilton will take the crown in China.  David Coulthard´s performance should not be overshadowed, putting the Red Bull into fifth place and ahead of the two BMW's of Kubica and Heidfeld, the Toyota of Ralf Schumacher and the other Red Bull of Mark Webber also in front of the BMW's.  The was also a good showing of the two Toro Rosso drivers Luizzi and Vettel and with rain possible tomorrow could make a good showing.

Lewis Hamilton's luck finally ran out in Shanghai on today, as he spun out entering the pit lane on worn tyres and ending up in the gravel trap.  He had built up a good lead against the favourite this weekend - Kimi Raikkonen who after both drivers had made their first pit stop, not electing to change rubber on lap 19 the Finn overtook the rookie and went on to dominate the race, having stayed out for another 4 laps.  This means that Lewis, Fernando and Kimi head to the season finale in Brazil with a shot at the title.  Alonso made a good start from the second row overtaking Massa on the outside line but had to concede to the Brazilian until after the first pit stop finally managed to overtake Felipe on lap 27.  Lap 31 was the end for Alonso´s team mate the marshals not being able to push him out of the gravel trap this time.  The admitted that they had kept Lewis out for one lap too long and maybe it was his attitude and not the tyres that caused the off as he could have let Raikkonen pass, preserving his rubber, in the knowledge that he could still win the championship here today.  Alonso and Raikkonen switched the dry tyres, the Spaniard electing for hard compound and the Finn for the soft.  Towards the end Alonso was starting to catch Raikkonen, whilst behind Sebastian Vettel, punished for the Fuji incident (Lewis Hamilton not) drove the race of his life to finish 4th and was nominated "driver of the day".  Makes you wonder what would happen if you had Sebastian and Lewis in the same chassis!  He achieved this from 17th place on the grid.  Felipe Massa had the consolation of setting the fastest lap on his final tour.  Jenson Button sandwiched the two STR drivers in a season high fifth, enjoyed his race, he commented afterwards and Tonio Liuzzi ran strongly into sixth place giving this "ex Minardi" team valuable points.  BMW's Nick Heidfeld finished a difficult weekend, with seventh at the chequered flag, his team mate  Robert Kubica having to retire from the race lead before his second pit stop.  David Coulthard´s weekend was rewarded with the final point.  It could have been more than that had the rain not returned just after he had switched to dry tyres at his second pit stop.