Nico Rosberg celebrates after winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 17, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
The Mercedes driver, triumphant at the opening two races in Australia and Bahrain, avoided trouble on a chaotic first lap at the Shanghai International Circuit to romp to the chequered flag ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat.
Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton powered through the field to finish seventh after starting 22nd and last on the grid.
Racing ahead: Rosberg grabs pole, Hamilton’s woes continue
And that was despite losing his Mercedes front wing in a collision on an incident-packed opening lap which also saw the two Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Vettel collide.
Daniel Ricciardo catapulted his Red Bull into the lead at the first bend from second on the grid, but suffered a puncture that enabled Rosberg to take a lead that he never relinquished.
You can’t win them all, Hamilton tells Rosberg
Ricciardo eventually finished in fourth with Raikkonen fifth and Felipe Massa sixth in the Williams.
It was Rosberg's sixth consecutive victory, having won the final three races of the 2015 season.
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