Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a first win at Monaco in seven years was dealt a cruel blow by a disastrous strategy call which gifted Nico Rosberg his third consecutive win at the street circuit.
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| Hamilton had controlled the race from the start |
Hamilton had been in total control of the race and was 15 seconds ahead of his Mercedes team-mate going into the final 15 laps.
The race was then turned on it's head when Max Verstappen crashed out and brought out the safety car.
Verstappen was fighting back into a point-paying position after an earlier lengthy pitstop and was cleverly using Sebastian Vettel as he passed through the back-markers to gain positions.
Vettel had come up to pass Romain Grosjean at the Fairmont Hairpin and Grosjean was aware of Verstappen's tactics thanks to radio communications. Grosjean took the inside line into the hairpin, forcing Vettel to pass him around the outside and close the door on Verstappen.
The 17 year old Dutchman was on softer tyres and was looking to get past Grosjean's Lotus going into the first corner. Grosjean braked early and Verstappen didn't react in time to avoid him. Verstappen ran into Grosjean's right rear and gathered speed as he clipped the curb before burying the front nose cone into the barrier.
The crash initially led to a Virtual Safety Car period but the actual safety car was quickly dispatched from the pit lane. Jenson Button had a nice cushion to ninth place, Felipe Nasr, and pitted for new tyres. Mercedes also thought Hamilton had a big enough cushion to pit and called him in.
Hamilton, who had earned his first Monaco GP pole position a day before, had reported that his tyres were losing temperature and was called in for a new set. Mercedes had expected Ferrari to pit Vette but, with a lengthy safety car period and the finish line in sight, Vettel was never going to change tyres.
Rosberg hadn't seen Hamilton pit and was surprised to be the first one behind the safety car. He looked in his mirrors to see Vettel and Hamilton wheel-to-wheel up the hill but the second Mercedes car had to yield to the Ferrari after Vettel had crossed the safety car line moments before.
Hamilton was on quicker tyres compared to the two cars in front but the tight nature of the Monaco track prevented him from making any gains. Rosberg must have been grinning from ear-to-ear as he drove down the final few laps and won to become only the fourth driver to win three consecutive Monaco GPs.
This year's truimph is, however, a hollow victory, but the result now sees him cut the deficit to 10 points between him and championship leader, Hamilton. The result ensures that the season is now more closely poised since previously thought after Rosberg trailed his team mate by 27 points after Bahrain.
Rosberg won last time around in Spain after Hamilton's slow start and an even slower pit-stop forced him to pit one extra time than Rosberg. It still remains to be seen whether the German can beat Hamilton this season in a straight fight.
Hamilton had earlier said to his pit crew that "we've lost this haven't we guys" and the desolated Hamilton momentarily stopped at Poitiers during the parade lap to gather his thoughts and to possibly avoid the parc femme celebrations of Rosberg and his crew.
With this being the cramped confines of Monte Carlo, Hamilton was unable to avoid Rosberg's jubilations as the cars stopped on the start and finish straight. Hamilton's frustrations were clear to see as he didn't stop in time to avoid hitting the third place sign which ironically toppled over towards the finish line.
His time on the podium allowed Hamilton to gather his thoughts for the post race interview where he professionally answered Martin Brundle's questions by saying that he races together with the team and that he will just have to go and win the next one.
Such a statement shouldn't be taken lightly by Rosberg as Hamilton will have the wick turned up when he returns to Canada and races on the track where he got his first F1 career victory eight years ago.
In the meantime, Toto Wolff, Nikki Lauda and Paddy Lowe will have to preside over another team inquest after the Brackley based team have once again shot themselves in the foot.
A much happier team down the pitlane will be McLaren. Monaco was targeted by the team as being an ideal opportunity to get their first points of the season due to the deficiencies of their Honda engine being less of a hinderance at the street circuit.
Button was on course to make it into Q3 of qualifying for the first time this season but was prevented by yellow flags being waved at the start of his final hot lap. Grid penalties for Grosjean and Carlos Sainz saw Button start the race in 10th and drove confidently to finish in 8th.
Fellow McLaren driver, Fernando Alonso, had an eventful start after nudging Nico Hulkenberg into the barrier and was later penalised with an extended pit stop. The two-time World Champion was running in the points when a gearbox issue brought his race to an end.
The Renault powered Red Bulls improved to finish behind the podium with Daniil Kyvat in fourth and Daniel Ricciardo in fifth. Kimi Raikkonen had a forgettable day to finish sixth whilst Sergio Perez drove well for seventh place. Sauber's Felipe Nasr and Torro Rosso's Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10.
Despite the safety car coming in with less than 10 laps to go, both Manor drivers and Felipe Massa's Williams were lapped by Rosberg.
It was a day to forget for Williams as Valteri Bottas finished a place ahead of Massa in 14th whilst Hulkenberg (11th) and Grosjean (12th) were prevented from winning points after falling victim to poor decisions other drivers. Sauber's Marcus Ericson finished behind them in 13th place.
Monaco is a circuit that requires consideration at all times as one simple mistake can catch you out. These mistakes are usually punished by the driver hitting the barrier but the blow Hamilton received as he came out of the pits in third would have been just as painful.
Last year showed that Hamilton is able to overcome adversity but I feel, without assistance, 10 points is as close as Rosberg can get to Hamilton.
Drivers' Standings after Round 6 of 19:
1. Lewis Hamilton 126 points
2. Nico Rosberg 116
3. Sebatian Vettel 98
4. Kimi Raikkonen 60
5. Valtteri Bottas 42
6. Felipe Massa 39
7. Daniel Ricciardo 35
8. Daniil Kyvat 17
9. Felipe Nasr 16
= Romain Grosjean 16
11. Sergio Perez 11
12. Carlos Sainz Jr. 9
13. Nico Hulkenberg 6
= Max Verstappen 6
15. Marcus Ericsson 5
16. Jenson Button 4
Constructor's Standings after Round 6 of 19:
1. Mercedes 242 Points
2. Ferrari 158
3. Williams 81
4. Red Bull 52
5. Sauber 21
6. Force India 17
7. Lotus 16
8. Torro Rosso 14
9. McLaren 4
Vettel had come up to pass Romain Grosjean at the Fairmont Hairpin and Grosjean was aware of Verstappen's tactics thanks to radio communications. Grosjean took the inside line into the hairpin, forcing Vettel to pass him around the outside and close the door on Verstappen.
The 17 year old Dutchman was on softer tyres and was looking to get past Grosjean's Lotus going into the first corner. Grosjean braked early and Verstappen didn't react in time to avoid him. Verstappen ran into Grosjean's right rear and gathered speed as he clipped the curb before burying the front nose cone into the barrier.
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| Verstappen's collision with Grosjean brought out the pivotal safety car |
Hamilton, who had earned his first Monaco GP pole position a day before, had reported that his tyres were losing temperature and was called in for a new set. Mercedes had expected Ferrari to pit Vette but, with a lengthy safety car period and the finish line in sight, Vettel was never going to change tyres.
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| Lewis Hamilton (left) came out of the pits in third |
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| Triple consecutive Monaco winners: Rosberg, Prost, Graham Hill & Senna |
This year's truimph is, however, a hollow victory, but the result now sees him cut the deficit to 10 points between him and championship leader, Hamilton. The result ensures that the season is now more closely poised since previously thought after Rosberg trailed his team mate by 27 points after Bahrain.
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| Third place trophy is little consolation for Hamilton |
Hamilton had earlier said to his pit crew that "we've lost this haven't we guys" and the desolated Hamilton momentarily stopped at Poitiers during the parade lap to gather his thoughts and to possibly avoid the parc femme celebrations of Rosberg and his crew.
With this being the cramped confines of Monte Carlo, Hamilton was unable to avoid Rosberg's jubilations as the cars stopped on the start and finish straight. Hamilton's frustrations were clear to see as he didn't stop in time to avoid hitting the third place sign which ironically toppled over towards the finish line.
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| Hamilton's despair on the podium was evident |
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| Rosberg won his second consecutive race of the season at Monaco |
In the meantime, Toto Wolff, Nikki Lauda and Paddy Lowe will have to preside over another team inquest after the Brackley based team have once again shot themselves in the foot.
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| McLaren were back in the points with Button's 8th place |
Button was on course to make it into Q3 of qualifying for the first time this season but was prevented by yellow flags being waved at the start of his final hot lap. Grid penalties for Grosjean and Carlos Sainz saw Button start the race in 10th and drove confidently to finish in 8th.
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| Alonso looks on at another retirement |
The Renault powered Red Bulls improved to finish behind the podium with Daniil Kyvat in fourth and Daniel Ricciardo in fifth. Kimi Raikkonen had a forgettable day to finish sixth whilst Sergio Perez drove well for seventh place. Sauber's Felipe Nasr and Torro Rosso's Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10.
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| Traffic proved to be an issue as the leaders came through the pack |
It was a day to forget for Williams as Valteri Bottas finished a place ahead of Massa in 14th whilst Hulkenberg (11th) and Grosjean (12th) were prevented from winning points after falling victim to poor decisions other drivers. Sauber's Marcus Ericson finished behind them in 13th place.
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| Alonso sent Hulkenberg into the barriers but the German recovered |
Last year showed that Hamilton is able to overcome adversity but I feel, without assistance, 10 points is as close as Rosberg can get to Hamilton.
Drivers' Standings after Round 6 of 19:
1. Lewis Hamilton 126 points
2. Nico Rosberg 116
3. Sebatian Vettel 98
4. Kimi Raikkonen 60
5. Valtteri Bottas 42
6. Felipe Massa 39
7. Daniel Ricciardo 35
8. Daniil Kyvat 17
9. Felipe Nasr 16
= Romain Grosjean 16
11. Sergio Perez 11
12. Carlos Sainz Jr. 9
13. Nico Hulkenberg 6
= Max Verstappen 6
15. Marcus Ericsson 5
16. Jenson Button 4
Constructor's Standings after Round 6 of 19:
1. Mercedes 242 Points
2. Ferrari 158
3. Williams 81
4. Red Bull 52
5. Sauber 21
6. Force India 17
7. Lotus 16
8. Torro Rosso 14
9. McLaren 4
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