In China Vettel and Räikkönen qualified in same positions as in Australia, i.e., in 2nd and 4th respectively. The race started in semi-dry conditions. Everyone, except Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz Jr. started on the Intermediate tyre compound. At the end of lap 2, many drivers including Vettel decided to pit for dry tyres under the Virtual Safety Car caused by Williams' Lance Stroll who had crashed. This proved to be very costly for Vettel as Sauber's Antonio Giovinazzi crashed on lap 4 which forced the Safety Car to come out. This meant that the two Red Bulls of Ricciardo and Verstappen along with Räikkönen had eclipsed Vettel in the pits and he was relegated to 5th. Vettel eventually managed to climb back up into 2nd and maintain his position till the end. Räikkönen meanwhile struggled with understeer throughout the whole weekend. At the start of the race he was overtaken by Ricciardo into the first corner. Unlike his teammate, Räikkönen could not find a way past the two Red Bull cars and finished in fifth. Hamilton winning the race meant that he and Vettel were tied in points after two races. Mercedes also managed to outscore Ferrari which put them 1 point ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship before the Bahrain Grand Prix.