Track Torque: Hamilton’s Monza win sees him take championship lead

LEWIS Hamilton was in a class of his own last weekend at the Italian Grand Prix.

He took pole position on Saturday in the wet and was in full control of the race on Sunday in the sunshine.

The grand prix was a topsy-turvy affair with many people suffering penalties including the two Red Bull Renaults of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

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Very stupid in my opinion, it spoilt many people’s chances in the race.

Verstappen just could have been the hero of the weekend but was once again unlucky.

He and Ricciardo were blindingly fast in the wet on Saturday and almost to the end of qualifying they led the field with Hamilton third.

Hamilton then pulled a rabbit out of the hat and put in a stunning last minute pole position lap.

The Red Bull twins were then dispatched toward the rear end of the grid with penalties for using new Renault engines too soon which nullified all their wonderful efforts.

The new engines showed great potential and augur well for increased completion in future.

Roll on Singapore where I believe the Red Bull Renaults will be very quick.

Back to Monza.

Behind Hamilton, his team mate Valtteri Bottas worked himself up in a very determined way to second position at the finish after starting from fourth on the grid.

Next was Sebastian Vettel again after quite a battle into a well earned podium spot.

Behind him came Ricciardo who had driven a wizard race from his penalty placed 16th on the grid.

He drove an excellent race and showed us the potential of the new Renault engine.

Oh what a shame it was that team mate Verstappen should have a coming together with Felipe Massa on the third lap as this destroyed his front wheel and tyre, but he was able to make it to the pits for a replacement.

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Verstappen drove another terrific race and just got into the points in 10th spot.

It really is a case of what could have been a so much better result.

Kimi Raikkonen came home fifth, Esteban Ocon sixth in Ferrari and Force India respectively the 2nd Force India of Sergio Perez was 9th while the Williams pair of Lancestroll and Felipe Massa were sandwiched in 7th and 8th positions.

It was a good but perhaps not great race as the organisers had meddled too much, but Monza is Monza and the enormous crowd of Tifosi were terrific.

Next come Singapore’s round the town in two weeks’ time .

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