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SPORTS: Monaco Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton takes victory as Mercedes punish Red Bull pit-stop error for Daniel Ricciardo

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Monaco Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton takes victory as Mercedes punish Red Bull pit-stop error for Daniel Ricciardo

Hamilton back in world title hunt with first win of the season

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Lewis Hamilton holds off Daniel Ricciardo to win the Monaco Grand Prix Getty Images
By BEN HUNT in Monte Carlo
09:00, 29 May 2016
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LEWIS HAMILTON's tyre gamble paid off in Monte Carlo after his shock victory in the Monaco GP.
The Brit, who admitted before the race he had little chance of winning from starting in third place, made the bold decision to stay on wet tyres in the rain-hit race before switching to slicks.
It saved himself from making another pitstop, as he leapfrogged pole-sitter Daniel RIcciardo, while his Mercedes rival Nico Rosberg had no reply to the 31 year-old's pace.
Daniel Ricciardo narrowly avoids hitting the barrier after failing to overtake Lewis Hamilton
Daniel Ricciardo narrowly avoids hitting the barrier after failing to overtake Lewis Hamilton Reuters

Hamilton took advantage of a poor Red Bull pitstop to overtake Ricciardo
Hamilton took advantage of a poor Red Bull pitstop to overtake Ricciardo Getty Images

It marked a huge contrast to Hamilton's mood just 24 hours early as he contemplated losing more ground to Rosberg in the championship after a fuel pressure problem.
But this win, only his second in Monaco, slashes the German's advantage from 43 to 24 points.
Heavy rain meant we were denied the chance of a seeing an exciting start, as it was kicked off behind the safety car.
And when it did come in, the action was quickly stopped when Brit Jolyon Palmer lost control on the painted zebra crossing and went into the barriers.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen had a similar moment when he lost control Mirabeau and crashed out.
Lewis Hamilton worked well in the wet conditions in Monte Carlo after starting third on the grid
Lewis Hamilton worked well in the wet conditions in Monte Carlo after starting third on the grid EPA

But in front there were no problems for Ricciardo who opened up a gap over Rosberg, who was clearly struggling.
The German's problems were evident and he was told to allow Hamilton through on lap 16 and after he moved to second he started eating into Ricciardo's lead.
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Hamilton did a great job as he matched the lap times set by Ricciardo and Rosberg, who had both swapped to the intermediate tyres.
And when he did finally pit for the ultra-soft slick tyres on lap 31 he sparked a chain reaction from the rest of the leaders, who copied his lead.
But Ricciardo's lead was wiped out when his mechanics did not have his slick tyres ready, which moved Hamilton into the lead.
Michael Carrick and Louis Tomlinson with Daniel Ricciardo before the Monaco Grand Prix
Michael Carrick and Louis Tomlinson with Daniel Ricciardo before the Monaco Grand Prix Getty Images

And the two had a thrilling fight for the lead with the two coming close to taking each other out at the Nouvelle Chicane.
Things were closer between the Sauber duo Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson who lost their heads and took each other out at La Rascasse.
Hamilton held his nerve to come home in first place and received an added boost when Nico Hulkenberg piped Rosberg on the line to sixth place.
Driver of the Day: Sergio Perez did a fantastic job to come home in third place for Force India.
Move of the Race: Max Verstappen pulled off a thrilling overtake on Kevin Magnussen at Sainte Devote.
Mistake of the Race: The two Sauber drivers suffered red mist, ignored team orders and crashed at Rascasse.
Milkfloat: Manor's Rio Haryanto trundled around at the back of the pack.
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