Hamilton’s win puts him in the record books

In 2007, Lewis Hamilton scored his maiden Formula One victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. On Sunday, he joined Michael Schumacher and Nelson Piquet as the only drivers to win the race at least three times.

The 27-year-old Brit earned his first victory of 2012 after passing Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso with six laps remaining in the 49th edition of the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre Dame. Hamilton becomes the seventh different winner to win in as many races this season, extending a record in the 62-year history of F1 racing.

It marked the third time Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, took the checkered flag in Montreal, having also won in 2010. He dedicated his 18th career win to the Montreal fans.

“What a feeling!” he said. “This is where I won my first Grand Prix. I knew it would be tough, but I loved every single minute of it and I’m really, really grateful.

“I want to dedicate this one to all the fans out there who constantly send letters and messages, always being so positive in their support throughout the year,” he added.

“It was one of the most enjoyable races I have had until now, and I was just thinking today to finish at the front as I did with my first win would be very, very special for me.

“I could not believe it when I crossed the (finish) line. The feeling inside was like an explosion. That is what I like about racing.”

Hamilton completed the 70 laps around the 4.261-kilometre circuit in one hour, 32 minutes and 29.586 seconds at an average speed of 198.027 km/h.

Frenchman Romain Grosjean was second in 1:32:32.099 to give Lotus F1 its second and best of two podium results this season. Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber F1 was third in 1:32:34.846.

Pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing was fourth in 1:32:36.881, and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, who started third on the grid, was fifth in 1:32:42.997.

Defending race champion Jenson Button of McLaren, who has continued to have problems after winning the season-opening race in Australia, finished in 16th place.

Seven-time Canadian Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher’s day was done on lap 45 when his DRS got stuck in an open position. Mechanics tried to snap it back, but without success, and the 43-year-old German was forced to retire for the third straight race and for fifth time this season. He is the only driver to win the Canadian Grand Prix more than three times.

Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso ran 1-2-3 for the first 15 laps of the race, which for the first time in memory did not see an appearance by the safety car. Last year, the safety car appeared a record six times during a rain-delayed race that lasted a record four-plus hours.

Hamilton took the lead from Vettel on lap 16 when the latter made the first of two planned pit stops, but he gave it up for his first stop for new tires on the following lap.

Hamilton returned to the lead, ahead of Alonso and Vettel, for laps 21 through 49 before pitting again. He returned to discover that Alonso, gambling on a one-stop strategy and heading the field, would be the one to beat to the finish line.

Both Grosjean and Perez made surprise trips to the podium. (www.vancouversun.com)