Spain’s two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso won his second successive Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday to record his McLaren team’s 150th success.
Alonso — recording his 17th career victory — beat home teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished in his fourth successive second place in his maiden season. Felipe Massa of Ferrari was third, his best result in the race.
Alonso — who leads the title race on 38 points the same number as Hamilton, but has the edge as he has won two races this season — led by seven seconds after 20 laps with Hamilton recording the fastest lap of the race at the time and Massa in third.
Alonso, who was seeing his lead eaten into by Hamilton with the Englishman taking a second just prior to the world champion pitting for the first time, pitted with 52 laps remaining and Hamilton took the lead.
Alonso retook the lead when Hamilton pitted, but the dynamic Englishman reduced his teammate’s lead to less than two seconds with 20 laps remaining.
There were only four retirements in an unspectacular race with the highest-profile one being Red Bull Racing’s Australian pilot Mark Webber.
His nightmare season continued apace as he had to call it a day on the 19th lap, blaming a problem with his rear wheels for his early retirement. — Sapa-AFP