SHANGHAI, China (AP):

The Formula One season will go down to the final race with three drivers chasing the drivers' title after Lewis Hamilton missed his chance to clinch it in China by gambling on one lap too many on bad tyres.

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari won the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday and Hamilton's chances of becoming the first rookie to ever win the title were put in jeopardy as he ran off the track in slippery conditions.

Fernando Alonso finished second to close within four points of his McLaren teammate and title rival. Hamilton now has 107 points, Alonso 103 and Raikkonen 100. A win is worth 10 points. Second through eight at 8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

It will be the first time since 1986 that three drivers will enter the final race with a chance to take the title. It was the fifth win of the season for Raikkonen. Alonso and Hamilton have four each. If there is a tie, the number of victories will break the tie. After that, the number of seconds will be counted.

Wet-weather tyres

With his wet-weather tyres deteriorating in drying conditions, Hamilton and his McLaren team chose to wait through another lap of light rain before pitting at the end of lap 31. When he eventually did make his way towards the pits, Hamilton - near faultless all season - slid off into a gravel trap at the top of pit lane.

"When I got out of the car, I was obviously gutted for both myself and the team," Hamilton said. "I haven't made a mistake all year but I am over it now. There is still one race to go, so I can still do it. I will now focus on attacking in Brazil where I will do everything I can to bounce back."

It was the first time this season that Hamilton failed to finish a race, but Alonso and Raikkonen acknowledged the young Briton remained the favourite to win the title.