Under dog Ga sly wins Italian Grand Prix as Hamiltonfumes–

HamiltonconfrontsstewardsafterpitspenaltyscuppershisholdonItalianGrandPrix

Lewis Hamilton took the extraordinary step of demanding an explanation from the stewards midway through yesterday’s Italian Grand Prix after he was served a penalty which paved the way for Pierre Gasly to complete one of the most surprising victories in motor racing’s recent history.

Gasly, the 24-year-old Frenchman unceremoniously dumped by Red Bull 13 months ago, celebrated his maiden Formula One win, with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, and Racing Point driver Lance Stroll completing an improbable podium at Monza. Hamilton finished seventh.

Hamilton had looked on course to race to his sixth win of the year after establishing a commanding 11-second lead with just 20 of 53 laps on the board. But the world champion and his all-conquering Mercedes team performed an uncharacteristic error.

With Kevin Magnussen’s stricken Haas car parked up in a dangerous position, and the Safety Car subsequently deployed, Hamilton missed two red crosses to inform him that the pit lane was closed.

Hamilton and the

Mercedes pit wall had 12 seconds to react to the order but failed to do so. The Briton dived in for fresh tyres and his fate was sealed.

The stewards hit Hamilton with a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for the infringement. The Briton had been on the verge of claiming a 90th career win and moving to within one of Michael Schumacher’s victory record.

Charles Leclerc’s staggering 180mph crash at the menacing Parabolica on lap 24 led to a red-flag period – and a frustrated Hamilton left his Mercedes in the pit lane before walking up the staircase at the rear of the paddock and heading to the stewards’ office.

“I wanted to see what had been missed because I swore there wasn’t a red light at the entry to the pit lane,” Hamilton later explained. “The stewards showed me the on-board video and the signs which had a cross through them. I didn’t see them because I was looking elsewhere.

“It feels severe. A stop-and-go penalty often comes if you have done something intentional, driving erratically or putting someone in danger.

“I don’t know if they can make the rule better in future, but I accept it and move forwards.”

UNLIKELY WINNER: Unfancied French driver Pierre Gasly gets bubbly on the podium after his victory for Alfa Tauri in the Italian Grand Prix yesterday