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Hamilton Wins 1st Grand Prix Of Season In Canada

MONTREAL, Canada- Lewis Hamilton has been kind to Canada and Canada has always been kind to Lewis Hamilton. And despite last season’s non- race day finish, the Englishman proved on Sunday afternoon at the Grand Prix of Canada that he can still make things work, as he became the seventh different race winner of the year at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Lotus driver Romain Grosjean finally found his form and took second, while Mexican Sergio Perez finished his Sauber on the podium for the second time this season in third.

“It’s a phenomenal sensation to come back to Canada and put on a performance like we did today.” Beemed a confident Hamilton. “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.”

On a hot and beautiful day, the race began with no incidents, which normally is an occurrence at this track. But with the start clean, Sebastian Vettel shot out in front and took the lead, while a few places back, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa and Paul Di Resta battled against each other throughout the early laps until Massa lost control on lap 12 and ended his challenge. But only two laps later, many drivers were wearing not only their back tires quicker, but also their fronts, with, many making stops for fresh rubber.

One of those on lap 17 was Vettel, who came out in fifth place, while Hamilton had his turn and came out in front of Vettel. Alonso topped this act by pitting and coming out in front of both drivers. But Hamilton found better grip and passed Alonso on Casino straight. As Grosjean pitted, Hamilton took the lead for the first time in the race.

While everyone was diving into the pits for fresh tires, two drivers, Perez and Kimi Raikkonen stayed out. And when both finally pitted on lap 48, only Perez could move up the grid to the frontrunners. Hamilton by this point had just over three seconds on Alonso.

As Hamilton pitted for the final time, Alonso went into the lead and took a gamble on if the Ferrari driver could stay out on his old tires. But that question was answered just before the end of the race, as Hamilton passed the Spaniard with six laps to go, and then Grosjean, Perez and finally Vettel within the next four. Alonso ended up fifth overall.

Rosberg took sixth, while Mark Webber was seventh. Raikkonen ended up eighth, while Kamui Kobyaschi and Massa finished in the next two point positions. Only three of the 24 starters did not finish, as both HRT’s of Narain Kathekeyan and Perdo De La Rosa ended up with brake issues, while Michael Schumacher retired his Mercedes with DRS problems.

Hamilton now takes a two point lead over Alonso and a three point gap over Vettel with the next race two weeks away on the streets of Valencia, Spain. But Hamilton himself feels that this victory was very special.

“Every win is different.” He said. “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.”

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