Leclerc takes advantage of Hamilton error

chicane, but was forced to take to the run-off area.

“He didn’t leave me a car’s width,” said Hamilton on the radio. “He pushed me off.”

Thirteen laps later, Leclerc then ran over the kerbs at the first chicane but rejoined in front of Hamilton.

“There is some dangerous driving going on,” said Hamilton. The stewards noted the incident but took no further action.

The partisan Ferrari fans stood on their feet to applaud Leclerc as he whistled past on the main straight, and they burst into unanimous cheers when Hamilton was forced to take to the escape road after going too hot on his brakes at the first corner.

Bottas took over second position as Hamilton stopped for a set of fresh tyres, claiming a bonus point for the fastest lap of the race in the closing stages.

Bottas lined up a move on Leclerc for the win with just two laps to run, but the Finn locked up, affording Leclerc much-needed breathing space.

The Renault duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg finished fourth and fifth ahead of Red Bull’s Alex Albon.

Racing Point’s Sergio Perez finished in seventh place, with the Mexican picking up six points.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull closely followed Perez to seal an eighthplaced finish, with Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi finishing in ninth.

British driver Lando Norris, representing McLaren, finished in tenth while Williams’ George Russell finished the afternoon in 14th position.

What a race. I have never been so tired. I made a few mistakes but in the end I finished in first place so I am very happy