Rodriguez claims first win

Dams driver Kamui Kobayashi dominated the opening race in China, but Piquet GP man Rodriguez took the win at the end of the 34 laps after the Japanese went too wide in the final stages.

"It's my fault: I made a mistake, I know it and it's very frustrating," Kobayashi reflected. "I had the fastest car, but with the safety car deployed twice, I had to push hard to try and extend the gap with Rodriguez.

"In the end, second place is not a bad thing; but I know I can win races and that's my unique goal."

Pole sitter Rodriguez made a good start and kept Kobayashi at bay initially; however, the competitive Dams car enabled the Japanese to apply pressure and he took the lead at the end of the first lap.

"I'm very happy," said Rodriguez. "I pushed all the way and made no mistake. On the first lap, Kamui braked later than me. I saw him far away from me and when I looked again he was on my side.

"I chose to let him through rather than close the door and maybe crash. We pitted at the perfect time.

"I want to leave Shanghai as the leader of the GP2 Asia Series and go home with two trophies."

Kobayashi drove a largely clean and consistent race, including the best lap-time, until lap 29 - when he went off the line at turn one. He managed to continue, but Rodriguez took the lead and held it to the end.

The first safety car was deployed after Sergio Perez stopped in the middle of the track with Kobayashi leading. The front two decided to pit and Kobayashi remained in front after the restart.

The second safety car was deployed after an impressive Yuhi Sekigushi tried to overtake Luca Filippi. The Japanese and the Italian came together and both men had to retire.

After the track was cleared, Kobayashi kept Rodriguez behind him comfortably while looking to extend the gap between them.

Pushing a little too hard, he almost lost control of his car - and the Spaniard drove to victory. Behind them Sakon Yamamoto enjoyed his first GP2 podium, taking third place after overtaking Javier Villa on the first lap.