Hamilton shrugs off early collision to claim Monza victory

Lewis Hamilton stunned the Ferrari crowd with a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix following a late move on Kimi Raikkonen and an opening-lap collision with Sebastian Vettel.

Pole-sitter Raikkonen looked set to win his first race in more than five years but Hamilton executed a brilliant pass on the Finn with just eight laps remaining.

Vettel, who fell to last after his coming together with Hamilton, recovered to finish fourth, but the German is now 30 points behind his championship rival. Valtteri Bottas completed the podium places.

Vettel was at his commanding best seven days ago to win in Belgium, but he was on the back foot from the start here after his critical collision with Hamilton.

Raikkonen roared off his marks on the long gallop down to the opening bend at Monza to keep both Vettel and Hamilton at bay.

Hamilton, however, took advantage of a slipstream off Vettel’s Ferrari before lining up a move on his championship rival at turn four.

Vettel covered the inside, but Hamilton moved to his right to take the racing line, and he was ahead of the Ferrari car as they took the corner.

Vettel did not want to give up the space, and the right-hand side of his car made contact with Hamilton’s Mercedes. It sent the German into a spin as Hamilton marched on in second.

Vettel complained on the radio: “That was silly, where did he want to go?”

He limped back to the garage for repairs before Hamilton’s long-term rival Nico Rosberg pointed the finger at Vettel.

“I think it was 100% Sebastian’s fault,” Rosberg said on Sky Sports commentary.

“Hamilton gave him all the room.”

Moments later, Hamilton was in the lead after passing Raikkonen on lap four, only for the 38-year-old to bite back two corners later.

By lap 11, Vettel was up into the points, and he would get as high as fourth before he would stop for a second time.

Back at the front, and it was Raikkonen who stopped for new tyres first. Hamilton went on for eight further laps before he came in for new rubber, and emerged well down on the Ferrari car.

But Hamilton’s team-mate Bottas, who had yet to stop, played his role in backing Raikkonen up, and allowing Hamilton to close.

Bottas eventually stopped for tyres to release Raikkonen. That looked to be that, but Hamilton never gave up, and on lap 45 he won the race.

At 220 miles per hour, the Briton drew alongside Raikkonen on the main straight before moving to the outside of the opening chicane and masterfully making his pass stick.

Raikkonen had nothing left in the tank as Hamilton went on to claim one of the finest victories of his career, and one that moves him ever closer to a fifth title.

“Firstly, I want to give it up to Ferrari, who put up a great challenge,” a breathless Hamilton said.

“Secondly I want to say a huge thank you to the guys back home at the Mercedes factory.”

Lewis Hamilton on the podium after his stunning Monza victory.