F1 News
Isola: Lauda would have been proud of Hamilton's win
- Jake Williams-Smith
Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola says that Lewis Hamilton's victory at the Monaco Grand Prix would have made Niki Lauda proud.
The Mercedes driver was forced to drive 68 laps on the medium tyres and keep Max Verstappen behind after Mercedes made a rare strategy error in fitting the wrong compound tyres.
Despite Thursday's practice sessions indicating that the hard tyre would not work well in the race, it was the tyre to be on come Sunday as Hamilton found out, nursing his medium tyres home to a difficult race win.
“We saw a thrilling grand prix in uncertain weather conditions with a great duel between Hamilton and Verstappen throughout most of it: so close that there was even some contact between them just a few laps from the finish," Isola said.
“Hamilton very effectively managed a softer tyre compound than his rivals, completing 66 laps on the medium after making his only stop under the safety car, which proved to be a pivotal moment in the race.
“The decision from Ferrari to fit the hard tyre to Vettel ensured their podium, while Hamilton’s ability to look after his tyres led to a victory that Niki Lauda would have been proud of.”