The Mercedes team were left embarrassed after a tactical misjudgement cost world champion Lewis Hamilton victory in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
The Britain took pole position in the Principality for the first time and looked set to add to his one previous Monaco victory, back in 2008, when he dominated the race from the front.
With ten laps remaining, Hamilton was 21-seconds ahead of his teammate and closest pursuer Nico Rosberg when the Safety Car was deployed onto the famous street-circuit.
Mercedes opted to bring Hamilton in for fresh tyres on the understanding he would maintain his lead but incredibly, he came out of the pits as Rosberg and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel went past, leaving him suffering in third place.
Despite his new tyres, the notoriously tough Monaco streets ensured Vettel was able to hold Hamilton off while out in front Rosberg cruised to a third successive victory in Monaco.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was forced to admit afterwards they had made a “complete misjudgement” and “lost Lewis the grand prix with the mistake”.
Rosberg, now 5.00 to win the Drivers’ Championship after trimming Hamilton’s lead to just ten points, admitted he was fortunate to win the race.
“I am very, very happy, but I know it was a lot of luck today,” Rosberg said. “Lewis drove brilliantly and he would also have deserved the win.”
Hamilton, 1.20 to retain his world drivers crown this season, was attempting to put a brave face on events.
“It was not the easiest of races,” he said. “The team has been amazing all year long and we win and lose together.”
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet