Sebastian Vettel wins Monaco Grand Prix to extend his championship lead over Hamilton
Sebastian Vettel ended Ferrari’s 16-year wait for a Monaco Grand Prix victory and extended his championship lead in the process with a commanding drive.
Michael Schumacher’s victory in 2001 was the Scuderia’s last here, but the German took his second win in the principality after some blistering laps midway through the race. They allowed him to jump pole-sitter and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at the pit-stops. The Finn finished second with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo completing the podium.
It was also the 29-year-old German’s second Monaco triumph, his third win this year and the 45th of his career, lifting him 25 points clear of Hamilton of Mercedes in the title race.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was unlucky not to win last year, finished third for Red Bull, despite hitting the barrier at Ste Devote, ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull.
Carlos Sainz was a well-judged sixth for Toro Rosso ahead of Hamilton, who had started 13th, and Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas. Felipe Massa was ninth for Williams ahead of Dane Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas.
Jenson Button, back for one race to replace two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who was due to race at the Indianapolis 500 later Sunday, retired his McLaren after a collision with German Pascal Wehrlein’s Sauber.
