Hamilton nabs wire-to-wire win
F1 points leader overcomes tire pressure inquiry.
MONZA, ITALY — The only thing that came close to stopping Lewis Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday was an inquiry over tire pressure.
In the end — 31/2 hours after the Mercedes driver took the checkered flag and was interviewed on the podium by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas — that obstacle fell away, too.
Hamilton’s left rear tire pressure was found to be 0.3 psi below the minimum of 19.5 when measured moments before the race. But stewards decided to take no action because they determined that Mercedes had pumped the correct amount of air into the tires before the pressure dropped on its own.
“I wasn’t aware of it,” Hamilton said, adding that 0.3 psi “is not really a huge amount on one tire.”
Hamilton cruised to his seventh win of the season, and nearly doubled his Formula One lead over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, whose engine caught fire with two laps remaining.
A potential challenge from Ferrari fizzled when Kimi Raikkonen stalled on the front row of the starting grid.
In perfect conditions, Hamilton finished 25 seconds ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the other Ferrari, while Felipe Massa narrowly edged Williams teammate Valtteri Bottas for third.
Sole tire supplier Pirelli, still recovering from the Belgian GP two weeks ago where there were frightening tire deterioration problems, agreed with the stewards decision on Hamilton.
“We are totally sure no one is cheating,” Pirelli spokesman Roberto Boccafogli said, adding that “0.3 psi is nothing. ... Such a small thing.”
Otherwise, it was a golden weekend for Hamilton, who topped every practice, started from pole position and led the race from start to finish.
“I dont know if I’ve ever had a weekend like this,” said Hamilton, who is aiming for his second straight F1 title and third overall.
As thousands of redclad Ferrari fans rushed out onto the track below the podium, Lucas recounted how he had suggested that Hamilton win by 20 seconds.
“Well, you did it in spades,” the film director said. “I bow to you.”
Hamilton now leads Rosberg by 53 points with seven races remaining this season.
The Briton became the first driver to secure backto-back wins at Monza since Damon Hill in 199394.