A GREAT HAUL OF CHINA!

LEWIS HAMILTON let his rivals know that he's not yet Formula 1 history with a statement first Ferrari victory.

- DAN MOXON

The 40-year-old finished 10th on a wretched debut for his new team in the Melbourne rain last Sunday, sparking fears that his big Ferrari move might turn out to be a damp squib.

But in the Shanghai sunshine Hamilton proved he's still got it by converting pole position for yesterday's sprint race into a maiden win with the Scuderia.

And after punching the air with delight and soaking up the adulation of the crowd - Hamilton is hugely popular in China where he has now won seven races in all formats - he had a message for his "yapping" critics.

He said: "The first race was difficult and I really do feel a lot of people underestimated the steep climb it is to get into a new team, to become acclimatised within the team, the understanding, communication, all sorts of things.