Britain hails McLaren heroes, Germany wonders about former Rain Kings

By Peter Auf der Heyde Apr 19, 2010, 11:38 GMT

Berlin - Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton on Sunday gave McLaren their first one-two since the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 2001.

Not surprisingly, Button and Hamilton's success at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai was hailed by the British press on Monday, with the Daily Mail headlining: 'Rule Britania'.

World champion Button, who was the first driver of the season to win two races, was one of the few drivers who did not rush into the pits to change his tyres when weather conditions changed slightly. He said afterwards that he had won because he got his tyre choice right.

'Slick Jenson Button gets his tyres right and holds off late charge from team-mate Hamilton,' said the Daily Mail, which went on to compare the two driving styles of the two Britons.

'There was one British driver who illuminated a bewitching Chinese Grand Prix with his now-you-see-me-now-you-dont rampage. And then there was the Briton who won it by stealth.

'This was a race of extremes: Lewis Hamilton, all blood and guts, in second place. Jenson Button, clean and composed, victorious for the second time this season to go top of the drivers standings. It was Hamiltons Senna against Buttons Prost; Botham versus Boycott; Rooney versus Lampard.'

The Sun also highlighted British delight as they wrote: 'Our boys are thrilled to Brits.'

The broadsheet Guardian newspaper simply said: 'Jenson Button hails 'best victory' after dramatic Chinese grand prix,' while the Independent also played on the tyre decision as they wrote: 'Button's decision-making too slick for Hamilton.'

But while the British newspapers highlighted McLaren's success, German newspapers were disappointed with the performance of five of their six Formula One drivers, lamenting particularly about a tenth- placed finish of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who used to be virtually unbeatable in the rain.

The mass-circulation Bild tabloid headlined: 'Schumi looks damn old,' while the Sueddeutsche newspaper says: 'Helpless in the rain - the former Rain King Michael Schumacher is passed down the ranks in the rain race in Shanghai.'

Kicker wrote: 'The German Rain Kings Sebastian Vettel, who managed to secure pole on Saturday and Michael Schumacher, sank in the rain.'

The Independent also pointed out Schumachers' humiliation: 'Schumacher left to endure embarrassing driving lesson.

'While his Mercedes GP team-mate Nico Rosberg led the race before slipping to third place, Schumacher stumbled around in the middle of the field, twice being handed driving lessons by Lewis Hamilton as he attempted to resist the 2008 champion.'

The one highlight for German papers was the performance of Rosberg, who finished third to move into second place in the drivers' standings with 50 - ten behind Button.

'Schumacher humiliated. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg manages to keep the right perspective during the Shanghai show of world champion Jenson Button and his predecessor Lewis Hamilton and takes third,' said Kicker.

And even the British paper The Scotsman pointed out that Rosberg had put himself on the map.

'Mercedes darkhorse nico Rosberg sends warning to F1 rivals,' said the paper.