Sebastian Vettel secured a memorable one-two for Ferrari in Sunday’s 75th Monaco Grand Prix to extend his World Championship lead to a luxurious 25 points over Lewis Hamilton.
Taking full advantage of generous support from teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who led from pole position to the start of the pit-stops, the four-time champion came home 3.1 seconds clear of the Finn in glorious Mediterranean sunshine.
Vettel’s success was Ferrari’s first in the principality since seven-time champion Michael Schumacher triumphed in 2001. It was the 82nd 1-2 in the team’s history.
It was also the 29-year-old German’s second Monaco triumph, his third win this year and the 45th of his career.
“It's obviously a great day for the team... great to get the points, great to get the win,” said Vettel.
As with Schumacher in his pomp there was also a distinct whiff of ‘team orders’, with Raikkonen pitting first and Vettel staying out for a further five laps in a move that worked in his favour.
There was plenty of sympathy for Raikkonen, who last won with Lotus in 2013. The Finn looked far from happy on the podium, staring fixedly ahead and taking gulps of the Champagne as Vettel sprayed his.
“It's still second place but it doesn't feel awful good,” he said. “It's how it goes sometimes.”
“I know how it feels, it’s not a good feeling,” reigning champion Nico Rosberg, who retired at the end of last year, consoled him at the post-race interview.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was unlucky not to win last year, finished third for Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton, who had started 13th, ended up in seventh place.
In a race with plenty of sunshine and minimal overtaking, late crashes ensured the safety car made its traditional Monaco appearance.
Jenson Button, back for one race to replace two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who was racing at the Indianapolis 500, retired his McLaren after a collision with German Pascal Wehrlein’s Sauber. The crash left Wehrlein’s car on its side at Portier, but he was unhurt.
