Monte Carlo, Monaco (Sports Network) - Spaniard Fernando Alonso captured
Sunday's prestigious Grand Prix of Monaco in dominant fashion. The No.1
McLaren Mercedes crossed the finish line 4.0 seconds ahead of teammate Lewis
Hamilton.
The victory was Alonso's second of the season and 17th of his Formula One
career.
Alonso brought the field to the green flag for 78 laps of racing around the
tight 2.075-mile street course. The No.1 McLaren Mercedes won the race into
turn one as his teammate Hamilton settled in behind him.
The only change to the top-five early had Nick Heidfeld going from the seventh
spot to fifth. Meanwhile, in the back of the field Kimi Raikkonen gained a few
positions to the 12th spot.
A local caution flag was brought out on lap two when Vitantonio Liuzzi crashed
into the barriers.
The two-time World Champion increased his margin quickly. After 12 laps the
No.1 McLaren Mercedes held a five second lead over Hamilton. Felipe Massa,
Giancarlo Fisichella and Heidfeld followed behind the top-two.
On lap 19 Mark Webber made an unscheduled pit stop. He never left the pits
though as transmission problems sent his car to the garage.
The first leader to make a scheduled pit stop occurred on lap 24 when
Fisichella went down pit road for service. He came out of the pits in the
fifth position behind Heidfeld.
Alonso made his first pit stop of the day on lap 26. The stop allowed Hamilton
to now lead the race. Massa took his first stop during the next lap.
The No.2 McLaren Mercedes extended his lead to 15 seconds over his teammate
before he took his first pit stop on lap 29. The stop gave Alonso the lead
back.
Many pit strategies started to play out as pit stops continued. Some of the
drivers planned on only making one stop during the race thus they waited to
take their pit stops.
After the first stops for the McLaren teammates, Alonso held a five second
lead. Hamilton would cut into the lead of Alonso but he was never able to get
close enough to attempt a pass. By lap 39, Massa trailed the two McLarens by
more than 30 seconds.
On lap 51 Alonso came down pit road for his final stop of the day. Hamilton
inherited the lead with Alonso in the pits.
The No.2 McLaren Mercedes would give the lead back to Alonso when he came in
for his final stop two laps later. On lap 56, Massa and Fisichella took their
final stops from the third and fourth spot, respectively.
A mistake by Alonso was the only thing Hamilton could now hope for.
The two-time World Champion continued to show his dominance out front. His
lead was cut down to just under two seconds with 20 laps to go though.
With 10 laps remaining Alonso had his margin to over two seconds again.
Hamilton was never able to pass his teammate though as Alonso crossed the
finish line after a masterful performance.
Alonso's first-place finish now has him tied with teammate Hamilton for first
in the point standings after five races. They have 38 points, five ahead of
Massa.
The next race in the series is scheduled for Sunday, June 10th in Montreal,
Canada.