Italian Grand Prix - Monza
All eyes on the front row. Rosberg vs Hamilton. After the 'did he, didn't he?' saga at Spa the F1 world were watching with intent. Was there going to be any revenge? How was Lewis going to react?
The answer was that Lewis reacted in the best way possible. Pole position. He was quick and wanted to put Belgium race behind him.
The lights went out, full throttle. Lewis lost 3 places after a sluggish start and this start was capitalised by Rosberg. It looked like that would be the race over with as Lewis reported technical issues.
For the first 4 laps Magnussen was holding up Massa and Hamilton but surely the Mercedes engines were just too strong and by lap 5 both Massa and Hamilton passed the Dane. As the race progressed Hamilton seemed to have managed the early hiccup and now was picking up speed. He was catching Massa. Both drivers were hot on the heals of Rosberg. Maybe it wasn't going so simple after all as on lap 10 Lewis had 2nd place from Massa.
Bottas was another victim of a slow start and he was fighting his way back up the pack from 10th and he over took Alonso on lap 16. The spaniard has not had a good season in an under performing Ferrari.
It's was a different story for the Mercedes. They were just too powerful. They were extending their lead. They were too fast. Lap 29, Hamilton was applying lots of pressure on Rosberg and after chasing him down Hamilton was rewarded with taking 1st place from his team mate as Nico buckled under the pressure and at turn 1 braked late and had to take the run off and dodge the signs. Lewis took full advantage. Game on!!
Alonso retired from the race that same lap with technical issues. Not what he, or his team wanted.
On lap 39/40 there was a great battle further down the chain between Button, Perez and Ricciardo. Button and Perez trading places, they were going wheel to wheel. Neither were backing down. A great battle to watch. Ricciardo watch watching this battle with poise as any mistake from any of the 2 drivers in front and he would pounce. He did just that with a sweet overtaking move on Button. A little further up the field Bottas takes 4th from Vettal. Great determination from the Fin.
Ricciardo was showing his racing potential. Pushing and pushing and he takes 5th from Vettal on lap 44 with the same passing move on the same corner he smoothed passed Perez.
There was a very close shave as Kyvat's car suffered braking failure off the long straight and he skilfully manoeuvred his car around Raikkonens car and down the run off. Nicely done.
The race finished with a comfortable Hamilton win. It's what he would have wanted and he was going to get it no matter what.
1st-Hamilton
2nd-Rosberg
3rd-Massa
The fans stormed the starting grid to watch the presentation. Flags waving, chanting. But they were not so happy when Rosberg was interviewed. Boo's were ringing out. Maybe Nico reactions over the last few races are turning people off. Are the getting bored of him?
