Lewis Hamilton wins big in Monaco as tyre gamble pays off and Red Bull cock-up

LEWIS HAMILTON’S roll of the dice was more suited to the high-roller tables in Monaco’s swanky casinos.

The world champion, dejected after Saturday’s qualifying shocker, gambled on running on wet tyres for 31 laps — saving him from doing an extra stop — and it paid off handsomely.

It marks a sensational turnaround in fortunes for the Brit, 31, and promises to kick-start his title defence.

Sure, he was helped by an incredibly obedient Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who graciously pulled aside to allow him through, ensuring there was no repeat of their smash in Barcelona.

And an incredible cock-up from Red Bull left pole-sitter Daniel Ricciardo waiting for fresh tyres — a delay that allowed Hamilton into the lead and denied the Aussie a win.

But that is not to take away anything from Hamilton’s performance in rain-hit Monaco.

On Saturday, he felt he had no chance of victory after a fuel-pressure problem.

Hamilton said: “I’m massively overwhelmed. It’s been a long time coming to get this win, not only this season — but to get another grand prix win here.

“This is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, races of the year for us.

“The previous days didn’t go well but as soon as it rained it just opened up all the doors of opportunity. I’m telling you that was the longest run to get there before I stopped for those tyres. It was crazy how long it was.

“On the last lap they were literally about to drop off!

“I managed to brush off the disappointment of qualifying really quickly.

“In the past, I would have been p***** off all night long and I would not have enjoyed it. I can’t believe I have 44 wins.”

Incredibly this was only his second victory in Monaco and it slashed Rosberg’s advantage in the title race from 43 to 24 points in what was a miserable race for the German.

He said: “We have a rule in the team, it was obvious I had to give up the place to Lewis.”

To add insult to injury, Rosberg was bumped down to seventh on the finishing line as his tyres gave up.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hailed Hamilton’s win as the perfect tonic following his wretched start to the campaign.

Wolff said: “Lewis needed that. It was great to get it after a terrible streak of luck.”

Heavy rain meant the race started behind the safety car. And when it did come in, the action was quickly stopped when Jolyon Palmer lost control on the painted zebra crossing and went into the barriers.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen had a similar moment when he lost control at Mirabeau and crashed out, while there were also smashes for the luckless Daniil Kvyat, Kevin Magnussen and Max Verstappen.

Sauber duo Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr will need to explain themselves after they tangled at La Rascasse.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner apologised to Ricciardo after their pit stop blunder scuppered his chances.

The Aussie was leading when the team asked him to stop. But his tyres were trapped at the back of the garage, causing a delay of around ten seconds.

Horner said: “All we can do is apologise to Daniel that we haven’t given him a good-enough service.”