Hamilton now in pole position
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX: BRITON GOES THREE POINTS CLEAR Ferrari’s 70-year anniversary party ruined by Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton took over as leader of the drivers’ world championship for the first time this year yesterday when he claimed a lights-to-flag victory as Mercedes dominated the Italian Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old Briton, seeking his fourth world title, made a perfect start from his record 69th pole position to lead his Mercedes team-mate Finn Valtteri Bottas home for his sixth win this year, his third at Monza and the 59th of his career.
Hamilton now leads four-time champion Sebastian Vettel by three points after the German finished third, 36 seconds adrift, in his Ferrari in front of a big home crowd for the Italian team’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
Having won in Belgium last Sunday, Hamilton also became the first driver to score back-toback victories this year. It was Mercedes’ third one-two this year and the team’s 39th overall.
Hamilton now has 238 points ahead of Vettel on 235 and Bottas on 197 while in the constructors’ championship Mercedes lead with 435 to Ferrari on 373.
“I am so happy and the team did a great job – Mercedes power is definitely better than Ferrari power,” said Hamilton, who was booed by a large partisan crowd.
Bottas also praised Mercedes’ teamwork. “The car was so strong – it was amazing how quick we were and it was a pure joy to drive. A perfect result! No drama,” he said.
Vettel added: “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. We have a strong car and will have a strong end to the season.”
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who started 16th after incurring grid penalties, came home fourth for Red Bull ahead of Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.
For the tifosi, it was an unfolding nightmare scenario – a master-class by Mercedes at their own ‘Temple of Speed’. –