Lewis Hamilton races to victory in epic Monaco Grand Prix

LEWIS HAMILTON won an action-packed Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday (May 29), his first win in seven months as well his 44th career win overall – a notable statistic as this also happens to be the Englishman’s favourite number.

The win has been a diamond in the rough for the British driver after a fairly lengthy streak of bad fortune and bad form. His last success came way back in October 2015 when he reigned supreme in Austin, Texas.

The victory also went a long way towards closing the Formula One championship gulf between Hamilton and his teammate Nico Rosberg, tightening the gap from 43 points to 24.

His main competitor in the race was the Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who at times looked poised to take the whole contest. Ultimately Ricciardo blew his chances after making a disastrous pit stop in which his team didn’t seem to be ready for him.

Hamilton, on the other hand, remained calm under mounting pressure and utilised some impressive defensive driving to keep his closest competitors at bay.

Conditions were tricky owing to rainfall early in the race, and Hamilton’s win has largely been attributed to his decision to put off a tyre change later in the race while the track was drying so that he could go straight to slick tyres: a bold move that ultimately paid off. Hamilton’s only other win in Monaco also occurred in difficult conditions, when he emerged victorious in 2008 in an impressive victory that took place in heavy rain.

Celebrity spectators were out in full force at the Grand Prix on Sunday, including Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, and Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber, who shared some champagne with Hamilton after the race.