Hamilton makes it a seventh winner in 7 races this year

Montreal, 10 June 2012: The 2012 Canadian Grand Prix brought in a seventh winner as McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton won a tactical race even as pole sitter Sebastian Vettel became a victim of strategy and the 2012 Formula One World Championship comes alive and opens up as it leads to the Europe again for the mid-season races.

Hamilton took an unshakeable grip on this race after the first round of pitstops. Sebastian Vettel had been leading for Red Bull Racing but he was jumped by both Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari who went a few laps further. Those front three, Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel pulled away from the field and were having a race all on their own, adds an FIA release.

Hamilton came in first for his second stop, having comfortably held a lead of between three and four seconds over Alonso throughout the stint. And then a shock: neither Alonso or Vettel were stopping. Hamilton set about furiously making up a deficit of around 15 seconds in the 20 laps remaining. His pace was remorseless. He caught and passed Vettel on lap 62, and Alonso on 64 and then cruised to victory.

But behind Hamilton, both Alonso and Vettel began to struggle badly with their tyres. Vettel elected to make a late stop, on lap 63, while Alonso stayed out.  The Ferrari was losing huge chunks of time and, Alonso’s gamble failed when Vettel made up his 20 second deficit to sweep past on lap 69 of the 70.

But Alonso had himself had already been passed by Romain Grosjean and Sergio Pérez, both of whom had ran more balanced one-stop races. Despite Vettel setting the fastest lap of the race on his final tour, he couldn’t get back up to the podium.

Hamilton crossed the line 2.5 seconds ahead of Grosjean’s Lotus, with the Sauber of Pérez following in third. Vettel was fourth and Alonso fifth. Nico Rosberg finished sixth for Mercedes, ahead of Mark Webber in the second Red Bull, Kimi Räikkönen was eight in the second Lotus, and Kamui Kobayashi in the second Sauber. Felipe Massa scored the final point for Ferrari.
The result bounces Hamilton to the top of the Drivers’ Championship on 88 points, two ahead of Alonso and three in front of Vettel. With Jenson Button enduring a torrid afternoon and finishing down in 16th, Red Bull Racing limited the damage in the Constructors’ Championship and retained their lead over McLaren 164-133.

“It’s still sinking in,” said Lewis afterwards. “It’s been five years since I won the first time here but this feels just as good. It feels great to be back here on the top step, it’s been a long time,” the former champion told INDIAinF1 site.

“It’s a phenomenal sensation to come back to Canada and put on a performance like we did today. This win feels as good as my first Formula 1 victory back in 2007. In fact I’d say it’s one of the best races I’ve had for a very long time.

“I feel fantastic, to be honest. Just brilliant. I could hardly believe it when I was driving across the line. That emotion inside, it’s like an explosion. It’s really just incredible. It’s what I love best about motor racing.

“I always knew today’s race was going to be incredibly tough. So, in the first stint, I was really pleased that I could keep up with Seb [Vettel], and at that point I already felt sure I’d be involved the fight for victory. Our strategy was always for a two-stopper: we knew it was going to be the fastest way to get to the finish. I looked after my tyres really well today, and I used them knowing we were going to two-stop.

“I had 100 per cent control and understanding of what was happening in the race – it was one of our best races for that. I told my race engineer, Andy [Latham], to keep the information flowing, and he was fantastic today. I always knew where I was losing or gaining time, which really helped.

“Every win is different. Every victory is new, special and fresh. And to see the team all wearing their Vodafone ‘rocket red’ victory T-shirts, knowing the guys back at the factory are doing the same, makes everything feel even more special.

“Finally, the support from the fans has been amazing – this victory is dedicated to them. I’m so grateful to be here today.”