Zoom The perfect result for Hamilton at Monaco

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix and took the lead in the championship today in Monte Carlo.

After 76 turbulent laps (253.840 kms) in changeable weather conditions and with two Safety Car periods, he took the chequered flag three seconds ahead of Robert Kubica and 4.8 seconds ahead of Felipe Massa. Team-mate Heikki Kovalainen came home eighth after he had stalled his car at the beginning of the formation lap and had to start from the pit lane behind the field.

It is Hamilton’s sixth Grand Prix victory and the second of the season after Australia. For McLaren it is the 15th victory in Monaco, and the sixth for the McLaren Mercedes partnership within 11 Grand Prix since Mika Hakkinen won in 1998.

After the sixth of 18 Grand Prix, Hamilton took the lead in the drivers’ ranking with 38 points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen who was ninth today. Kovalainen is sixth overall with 15 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren Mercedes moved up to second with 53 points; Ferrari leads with 69 points.

Lewis Hamilton
"I am absolutely over the moon. To win here in Monaco is the highlight of my career and an occasion I will always remember. I want to thank everybody in the team for their fantastic job, and also my family for their continuous support. It was a very eventful race. I started well and immediately overtook Kimi, and also saw a chance to attack Felipe, but then the rain got heavier and visibility worsened. At the Tabac corner, there was a lot of water on the track, and suddenly I had oversteer and hit the barrier. It was just a slight touch, but the tyre was damaged and I had to pit. Fortunately, the first Safety Car period helped me to close the gap to the front. We changed our strategy, and I had to make only one more stop. When I was about 40 seconds ahead the team told me over the radio to take it easy. The second Safety Car period brought more excitement, but I was able to control the race also after the second re-start. What a day and what a result!"

Heikki Kovalainen
"An extremely difficult race with any chance of finishing in a top position already gone when I could not engage a gear at the start of the formation lap. Consequently I had to change the steering wheel in the pit lane from where I had to start my race. I tried to push as hard as I could, but could only go at my real pace when there was a gap. It is a pity, because my car was good and the speed was there. At least I scored one point at the end and now look forward to the next Grand Prix where I will go maximum attack to finish with good results."