Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg dominated from lights out to win a pulsating Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, beating McLaren's British duo of Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton into second and third.
Russia's Vitaly Petrov finished 18th in the race, which is likely to be remembered for Mark Webber's audacious dodge past Red Bull teammate and reigning champion Sebastian Vettel to snatch fourth on the penultimate lap.
Losing Michael Schumacher to a loose tire on lap 14 failed to dampen Mercedes joy as the team celebrated its first Grand Prix win in more than half a century.
It was a first victory in 111 races for Rosberg, who qualified in a pole, got to the first turn first and never looked back.
"It's an unbelievable feeling. I'm very happy, very excited. It has been a long time coming for me and team after two years and a bit," the German said in televised comments.
After three races it is Hamilton who leads the drivers' championship after finishing third in both Australia and Malaysia.
Button is second, two points behind, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, the Malaysia winner who finished ninth Saturday, in third.
Caterham's Vitaly Petrov will consider his 18th position a success as the team continues its long road to establishing itself as a reliable top runner.
The Russian crashed out of the season opener in Australia with steering problems, but finished 16th in the team's home Grand Prix of Malaysia.
His Finnish teammate Heikki Kovalainen finished 23rd.
