Lewis Hamilton took a thrilling and controversial victory in the Italian Grand Prix following a first-lap clash with title rival Sebastian Vettel and has sensationally prevented ferrari of a victory in Italy, sinking pole-sitter Kimi Raikkonen in an explosive race in Monza.
The Mercedes driver fought a cat-and-mouse battle with Vettel's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen throughout the race and eventually passed him around the outside of the first corner with nine laps to go in the Italian race.
Hamilton and Mercedes not only dashed Ferrari's hopes of a home win after their first front-row lock-out at Monza for 18 years but also extended the Briton's championship lead over Vettel, who finished fourth, to 30 points of the F1 world championship.
That is more than a clear win, with seven races and a total of 175 points remaining in the 2018 season.
Ferrari's home race began to unravel within four corners of the start, as Vettel spun trying to defend against an overtaking move by Hamilton at the second chicane on the first lap.
Hamilton took the outside line and was slightly ahead as they turned into the corner, after the German had had a little look at a possible passing move on Raikkonen in the lead but gave up quickly.
Vettel's car slid into Hamilton's in the middle of the chicane and he spun in front of the pack, his front wing broken which the ferrari mechanics have changed quickly at the box.
The Ferrari driver complained over the radio, but the Formula 1 stewards judged it a racing incident not worthy of further action, and Vettel continued further his pursuit race.
Max Verstappen was slapped with a five-second penalty for colliding with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas late in the race, plonking him down a spot and away from a podium finish.
It was another disappointing race for Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo, who was sent spiralling midway through the race with an apparent engine failure, spelling disaster for the upcoming Grand Prix in Singapore.
Hamilton: “Today was so difficult. We’ve got a great crowd here (sic), always. The negativity isn’t great but I accept the challenge they send but it’s the British flags that inspire me and the team. It’s such an honour to win here in front of such a crowd.”
Räikkönen: “We had the speed but the tyre went. It’s hard to take but we tried and we had great support. Thank you but sorry for not winning.” said the driver's after the Italian race.
Mercedes have been dominant here but they clearly no longer have hegemony at the power circuits and may count this as a win against the head that could prove vital, especially with the next round at Singapore, a circuit where they have traditionally struggled and where Ferrari and Red Bull have been strong.
What’s next?
From the high-speed expanses of Monza, we head to the tight confines of the Singapore streets in two weeks' time. This is prime Red Bull territory, but will their agility be enough to overhaul the Mercedes and Ferrari powerhouses? Find out on September 16. 2018.
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