Hamilton ignores Ferrari fans to celebrate converting pole into his 20th career victory

Monday 10 September 2012

ANALYSIS Hamilton ignores Ferrari fans to celebrate converting pole into his 20th career victory

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Ian Parkes

Lewis Hamilton presented a contrast in character after an Italian Grand Prix win that proves he should remain with McLaren.

If ever a weekend were to underline just which side Hamilton's bread is buttered then it was this one here in Monza. Bombarded with questions over his future in the build-up, Hamilton shrugged them aside to grab pole and follow that up with his 20th career victory at one of the world's most famous racetracks.

At times post-race, however, it was hard to believe Hamilton had emerged triumphant, closing the gap in the title race to championship leader Fernando Alonso to 37 points after the Spaniard finished third. In one sentence, the Englishman declared himself "so grateful, so happy" to have won, but in another he claimed being on the podium was "hard to enjoy when you're being booed, but I don't care, I won".As Hamilton took to the podium in front of a sea of tifosi, the colloquial term for Ferrari's fans, there were plenty of boos for the 27-year-old, seemingly tempering his joy at finally winning at a venue he has long held in such high esteem.Team-mate Jenson Button claimed last week, in the wake of finishing second on three consecutive occasions, that the scene below the podium, was more akin to a football crowd and difficult to take in. Hamilton had a taste of that, but is not hard to understand given he is a McLaren driver standing on top of the podium in Ferrari's backyard.But after a near lights-to-flag success save for a few laps led by superb runner-up Sergio Perez, a chirpy Hamilton said: "It's an incredible feeling, phenomenal. You never know what's going to happen when you come into a race weekend, but I've been so happy that it's just gone quite smoothly throughout the weekend and the guys have done a great job with the package. And this is Monza, one of the very historic circuits, one I have not won at before, so it's great to take another step in my career. I'm very thankful for all the support I've had."It should have been a McLaren one-two – which would not have sat well with the Ferrari fans – but Button retired with a fuel issue on lap 33 when trailing Hamilton by a handful of seconds.Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel followed soon after with an alternator issue when running sixth, a repeat of the problem that scuppered his victory bid in the European GP in Valencia in June. To cap a thoroughly miserable day for Red Bull. Mark Webber also retired a lap from home after flat-spotting his tyres which left his car vibrating dangerously, leaving the team without a point from a race for the first time in almost two years.Button, who has dropped 78 points behind Alonso, said: "I don't entirely know what caused my car to stop. I'm told it was a fuel system problem that we're still investigating. The engine cut out and I had to coast to a stop. These things happen."Vettel and Webber have dropped to fourth and fifth in the standings – 39 and 47 points down respectively. Sandwiching Hamilton and Vettel is Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen, fifth here and now 38 points adrift.Considering what unfolded at Monza, Alonso could not be happier, describing his Sunday as "perfect for the championship".He added: "It was almost like a film with a happy ending, another podium finish, three of my closest rivals with no points and an increased lead over my closest pursuer."Team-mate Felipe Massa was fourth, the Mercedes duo of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg sixth and seventh, with Paul Di Resta, Force India's Scottish driver, finishing eighth.

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Hamilton ignores Ferrari fans to celebrate converting pole into his 20th career victory

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