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Hamilton bags first win in six months in Monaco

Mercedes driver now trails championship leader Rosberg by just 24 points

Afp May 30, 2016

Hamilton races towards the finish line at the Monaco Grand Prix. With the victory, he recorded his first win of the season and also his first since the US Grand Prix in October last year. PHOTO: AFP

MONACO: World champion Lewis Hamilton ended his six-month wait for a win yesterday when he secured an unexpected and skilful victory for Mercedes in an incident-filled Monaco Grand Prix.

Taking full advantage of a bungled pit stop for his nearest rival, Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Hamilton drove supremely in mixed conditions to seize his first triumph in nine races since clinching his third title at the 2015 United States Grand Prix last October.

Ricciardo, who started from his maiden pole position, led until he pitted for slick tyres — that were not ready for him — after 32 laps and finally came home second, 7.2 seconds behind the three-time champion.

Monaco Grand Prix: Ricciardo seizes first Formula One career pole

It was Hamilton’s second win on the famous Mediterranean street circuit, his first this season and the 44th of his career. It also repeated his 2008 triumph when he started third and won in wet conditions.

Mexican Sergio Perez finished third, 6.5 seconds behind a disconsolate Ricciardo, but ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany (Ferrari) and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Spain, who finished a superb fifth for McLaren on the 50th anniversary of their Formula One debut race in 1966.

Hamilton’s win kept alive his title defence and, with Rosberg off the podium, trimmed the leader’s advantage to 24 points, less than a single victory, in the title race.

Monaco Grand Prix: Ricciardo prays heavens don’t open up

“Thank God that today went as I’d hoped,” said Hamilton. “A big thank you to the team. I’m kind of lost for words. I prayed for a day like this and it came through so I feel blessed. That was the longest run after I stopped for those tyres.”

A furious Ricciardo struggled to control his feelings and his language. “I don’t even want to comment on the race,” he said. “Two weekends in a row now, I’ve been screwed. It sucks. It hurts.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2016.

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