MONTREAL – Lewis Hamilton is Canadian Grand Prix champion again.
The Briton powered his Mercedes AMG to victory Sunday, holding off Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari over the final 32 laps to claim the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for a second year in a row and
fifth time overall.
Hamilton edged Vettel by five seconds in the 70-lap race, while Valtteri Botta brought his Williams in third for a second straight year in a row. It was the Williams team’s first podium finish of the
year.
Max Verstappen made some clever moves in his Red Bull to keep fourth place ahead of a charging Nico Rosberg, who spun his Mercedes AMG in a bid to overtake on the final lap to finish fifth.
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Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was sixth ahead of 2014 winner Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull.
Vettel made a clever pass as soon as the green lights went on to start the race, passing Rosberg on the outside to take the lead.
Rosberg and Hamilton touched, sending the German across the grass at the first turn and dropping him to 10th place. Meanwhile, Verstappen slipped past Ricciardo into third spot.
Vettel pulled into the pits for a tire change after only 11 laps, followed quickly by Ferrari teammate Raikkonen, signalling a two-stop strategy. Hamilton went in after 24 laps on a one-stop plan. Vettel and Raikkonen both pitted again after 38 laps.
Jenson Button, the 2011 winner, pulled over and out of the race on the 12th lap with his MacLaren’s engine in flames. Renault’s Jolyon Palmer retired on lap 20 with a brake problem.
Williams’ Felipe Massa pulled out after 37 laps.
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