Hamilton takes Monza by storm
LEADER Mercedes driver overtakes Sebastian Vettel by three points to take overall lead in the Formula One standings I love it here in Italy and I love the passion of the fans, particularly the Ferrari fans — they are fantastic. This energy is like nowhere else we get to see. It was entertaining, quite good fun. We just didn’t have the pace of the leading two drivers, but going around seeing these people gives us a lot of hope.
for Red Bull ahead of Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.
Hamilton made a good start from his record 69th pole position and fended off Canadian teenage rookie Lance Stroll, who started second for Williams after nine drivers were handed grid penalties, to take control on the run to the first chicane. Behind him, Raikkonen began well and he passed Bottas into the second chicane while Dutchman Max Verstappen, from 13th, was up to eighth on the opening lap.
Bottas bounced back to reclaim fourth from his fellowFinn on lap two and then passed Stroll and French rookie Estaban Ocon to secure second place behind his Mercedes team- mate.
By lap 14, having run within 10 seconds of the lead as he climbed to third, Vettel was more than 12 seconds behind as Ferrari encouraged their men to find more pace. Raikkonen, in sixth, complained of problems with the rear end of his car. Hamilton continued to set the pace and had a ‘moment’ on lap 20 when he skimmed across the edge of a gravel trap at the second chicane. He remained 4.5 seconds ahead of Bottas with Vettel third and Ricciardo, having started 16th closing fast in fourth.
Vettel, who had reported he was “struggling with the rear now”, was 22 seconds away from Hamilton. For the tifosi, it was an unfolding nightmare scenario - a master-class by Mercedes at their own ‘Temple of Speed’.