The Overview II

While Hamilton did begin cutting into Rosberg’s lead before both drivers made their lone pit stop, he dropped back to fourth after the stop and only managed to regain second when both Vettel and Raikkonen took on tires for the second time.

Ricciardo, however, was on a charge. After taking on fresh super-soft tyres, he pulled off an epic 5% pass, out braking Valtteri Bottas from 340kph into the first chicane to take fifth; he started the move so far back it was as if he suddenly screamed in from somewhere west of Milano.

Max Verstappen was another who thoroughly botched his start when his engine launch mapping code inexplicably slipped into Fail Safe mode. As the lights went out, he was simply overwhelmed, losing a massive number of positions. He was only able to salvage his race near the end with his pass of Force India’s Sergio Perez into the second chicane for seventh.

Up front, out of sight of Hamilton, a lonely Rosberg controlled the pace to the flag for his 21st career victory. Sebastian Vettel claimed the last podium spot, 5.9-seconds behind Hamilton, and 6.5-seconds ahead of Raikkonen.

Felipe Massa and Nico Hulkenberg completed the top 10, allowing Williams to move three points ahead of Force India into fourth place in the constructors’ championship.