Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton expressed thanks to his team-mate Nico Rosberg for allowing him passed to help him win the epic Monaco Grand Prix. Hamilton took a splendid victory after a close battle with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. Rosberg, who struggled with speed early on, was told by Mercedes to allow his team-mate into second behind Ricciardo.
Hamilton benefits from botched pit stop by Ricciardo
A slow pit stop by Ricciardo enabled Hamilton to take the first win of 2016 and cut drivers’ title shortfall to Rosberg to 24 points. Hamilton said he didn’t expect the points to turn in the way they have.
Mercedes team has an agreement with its drivers that if one driver is struggling with their speed and affecting the other’s opportunity to win the race, then he must let the team-mate through. Hamilton, who won his third F1 World Championship at the US Grand Prix last year, went into Sunday’s race 43 points behind Rosberg. Rosberg started off the 2016 season with four victories in a row, before retiring in Spain after the two Mercedes drivers collided.
How did Lewis Hamilton win?
- Hamilton had an agreement with the team not to switch to ‘intermediate tyres’, as everyone had started the race
- Hamilton moved into the lead after starting behind Rosberg and Ricciardo
- In the seven laps before Rosberg allowed Hamilton through, Ricciardo pulled out a 13.1 lead
On lap 16, Mercedes ordered Rosberg to let Hamilton pass
