Home
Formula 1

Hamilton wins Canadian GP battle with Vettel

Lara Seychell
Formula 1

http://gty.im/539632004

By Lara Seychell

  • Lewis Hamilton closes gap to Nico Rosberg
  • Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari lose out on a possible win
  • Rosberg has another low finish

MONTREAL, CANADA – Lewis Hamilton managed to hold off Sebastian Vettel to win his second successive Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, after starting from pole position. 

Britwatch Formula 1: Full Fixtures, News & Standings

Hamilton crossed the finish line five seconds ahead of Vettel, while Valtteri Bottas secured third spot for the Williams team. The Brit’s win, which is his fifth in Canada, was not the easiest as Hamilton had a slow start and saw Vettel go ahead of him for the first 11 laps.

An early retirement from Jenson Button saw the ‘Virtual Safety Car’ deployed. Vettel grabbed the occasion and entered the pits to change tyres and opt for a two-stop strategy. However, the VSC only lasted for a few seconds and Hamilton stayed out and pitted on the 25th lap for a one-pit strategy. This meant that Hamilton stayed in front till the end of the race, despite Vettel trying to catch him at the last stages of the 70 laps. The two-stop strategy chosen by Ferrari might have cost Vettel the race.

Nico Rosberg had another disappointing race finishing in fifth following a bad start, and he also came in contact with Hamilton at the first corner.

As reported on The Independent, Rosberg said: “Well Sebastian had a great start and I had a decent one, and Lewis had a bad start. In Barcelona I went for the outside and it worked, so I did the same today and Lewis did a very aggressive racing move, and we touched and I went off. I’m very p***ed off at the moment but that’s racing and it’s my job to make sure I’m in front next time.”

This means that Hamilton has now closed the gap further in the 2016 drivers’ championship, and he is only nine points behind Rosberg.

All teams will now fly straight to Azerbaijan for the Grand Prix of Europe in Baku which will be held on June 19th.