Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) gives the thumbs up as he celebrates taking the pole position next to German driver Nico Rosberg after the qualifying session at the Monaco street circuit in Monte Carlo.
MONTREAL, June 7- Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton bounced back and increased his lead in the drivers world championship Sunday when he drove to a well-measured victory ahead of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in the Canadian Grand Prix.
The two-time champion made the most of the 44th pole position of his career to lead from the lights to the chequered flag, finishing the 70 laps contest at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 2.2 seconds clear of the 29-year-old German.
His victory ended Rosberg’s run of two wins and confirmed his own full recovery from the disappointment of the Mercedes pit-stop fiasco in Monaco, where Hamilton was deprived of a near-certain victory in the closing laps.
“Did I need this (after Monaco)? Yes, I think I did,” said Hamilton, adding: “I love Montreal, I love this track and love this city.”
Rosberg was unable to mount a serious challenge as he came home second ahead of Finns Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel finished fifth after surging through the field from 18th on the grid in the second Ferrari.
It was Hamilton’s fourth win in Canada, his fourth win this year and the 37th win of his career, lifting him 17 points clear of Rosberg in the title race with 151 points to the German’s 134.
Brazilian Felipe Massa finished sixth in the second Williams after another strong drive ahead of Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado who completed his first race of the season in seventh for Lotus.
The race proved disastrous for McLaren with both their cars driven by Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button failing to finish.
