Mercedes and Ferrari are easy guesses for anyone that the two heavyweight teams would be the subject of debate throughout the weekend as drivers gear up for the third race of the season in Shanghai, China.

Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton dominated proceedings on Saturday in qualifying, eclipsing the timings of both Ferraris, securing the top two spots in the starting grid.

However, there was plenty of drama right from the start of the race earlier today.

Mercedes duo, Bottas and Hamilton were safely away at the front, while Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen chased behind the leaders.

Meanwhile, Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat grabbed headlines on the opening lap as he collided with both McLaren cars on lap 1.

Lando Norris had initially got off to a promising start with teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. close behind.

Amidst the heavy traffic in the middle of the pile, it was Kvyat, who first clipped Sainz on his front right and launched into Norris’ rear right which resulted in the British teenager going off the track.

Given Kvyat's previous indiscretions, it's another incident the Russian would have preferred to avoid. 

Despite the decent start to the race, both McLaren cars had to come in to get patched up after the incident and they joined the track lagging at the back of the field.

Kyvat was given a drive-through penalty by the stewards for the collision. His race eventually ended on lap 43 when he was forced to retire.

Only one of McLaren drivers managed to finish the race, as Sainz ended in 14th while Norris had to retire with only three laps remaining - having already pitted four times - in an eventful race at the Shanghai International Circuit.