Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Lewis Hamilton
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests awareness of major Formula One racing results, specifically the winner of the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix. Formula One races are widely covered in sports news and often appear in current affairs questions. The Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit is one of the early races in the season, and its winner can influence the championship narrative. Knowing which driver won in 2017 helps candidates connect names like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel with their achievements in particular seasons.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The 2017 season saw a close battle between Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari. After the opening race in Australia, which Vettel won, Hamilton responded strongly at the Chinese Grand Prix. In changeable weather conditions, he secured pole position and converted it into a race win, finishing ahead of Sebastian Vettel and others. Remembering that the Chinese Grand Prix was Hamilton way of levelling the early title fight makes it easier to associate that race with him rather than with other drivers listed in the options.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that in 2017, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were the main contenders for the drivers championship.
Step 2: Remember that Vettel won the season opening Australian Grand Prix, while Hamilton struck back by winning the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Step 3: Check the options and identify Lewis Hamilton as the driver associated with Mercedes dominance at that race.
Step 4: Confirm that Bottas, Raikkonen, and Rosberg did not win the Chinese Grand Prix in 2017, which leaves Hamilton as the clear correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Race result summaries for the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix show that Lewis Hamilton started from pole and finished first, with Sebastian Vettel coming second and Max Verstappen third. Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen finished further down the order, and Nico Rosberg had retired from Formula One after the 2016 season. This independent data fully confirms that Lewis Hamilton is the correct winner of the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sebastian Vettel finished second in the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix and therefore is not the winner, even though he was a strong rival that season.
Valtteri Bottas drove for Mercedes alongside Hamilton but did not win this particular race in 2017.
Kimi Raikkonen, driving for Ferrari, did not secure victory at Shanghai in that season.
Nico Rosberg retired after winning the 2016 championship and did not race in the 2017 season, so he could not have won the Chinese Grand Prix that year.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that because Sebastian Vettel won multiple races in 2017, he might also have won in China, especially if candidates remember only the intense rivalry but not the race by race outcomes. Another confusion arises when students forget that Nico Rosberg retired at the end of 2016 and therefore is not relevant to 2017 results. To avoid such errors, it helps to remember simple anchor points, such as Hamilton response win in China after Vettel victory in Australia, when revising sports current affairs.
Final Answer:
The 2017 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix was won by Lewis Hamilton.
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