Rosberg takes surprise Monaco hat trick

Nico Rosberg took a surprise hat-trick of Monaco Grand Prix victories on Sunday after Mercedes blew championship-leading team mate Lewis Hamilton’s chances with a late pitstop while he was leading.

The result, with Hamilton third after leading for 64 of the 78 laps after starting on pole, slashed the Briton’s lead over German rival Rosberg to 10 points after six of 19 races. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished second.

Hamilton’s race unravelled when the safety car was deployed after Dutch 17-year-old Max Verstappen crashed heavily into the barriers. While the race leader pitted for fresh tyres, Rosberg and Vettel stayed out.

“I’ve lost the race haven’t I,” the disconsolate double Formula One world champion enquired over the team radio after rejoining in third place. “What’s happened guys?”

Driver and constructor standings
Drivers Points
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 126
2. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 116
3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 98
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 60
5. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams 42
6. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams 39
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull 35
8. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) Red Bull 17
9. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber 16
10. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus 16
11. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India 11
12. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso 9
13. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India 6
14. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso 6
15. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber 5
16. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 4
17. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 0
18. Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia 0
19. Will Stevens (Britain) Marussia 0
20. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus 0

Constructors Points
1. Mercedes 242
2. Ferrari 158
3. Williams-Mercedes 81
4. RedBull – Renault 52
5. Sauber – Ferrari 21
6. Force India – Mercedes 17
7. Lotus – Mercedes 16
8. Toro Rosso – Renault 15
9. McLaren 4
10. Marussia – Ferrari 0

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