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Monte Carlo.
25/05/08
2007 winner, Fernando Alonso
78 laps
GRAND PRIX OF MONACO
FIA Formula 1 World Championship
MONTE CARLO
Perceived wisdom said that Hamilton would easily take pole but a Ferrari 1-2 in qualifying seemed to surprise the quietly confident McLaren team. However, there was a whiff of the Ferraris using a lighter fuel load to ensure their desire to control the race from the front, particularly with the continuing threat of rain. And rain it did at the start, with Kovalainen starting from the pit lane while his team mate slipped by Raikkonen to fall in behind Massa. A brief slip at Tabac saw Hamilton pit early for a punctured right-rear, unintentionally handing him the ideal fuel & tyre strategy for a topsy-turvy race on a drying track. Raikkonen's race was undone by an early drive through penalty while Massa's running wide at St.Devote allowed Kubica through into the lead on the half-hour. Eventually the Brazilian slipped past the Pole a the the first pit stop but was destined to fall behind once more to finish third. But it was Hamilton who was able to perfectly time his second stop at the time dry tyres were best, and - despite a late safety car incident robbed him of his 30s cushion - record his first win at the principality and regain the lead of the World Championship.