Lewis Hamilton won a twisty Formula 1 Grand Prix in Tuscany on Sunday, while Racing Point driver Lance Stroll was forced to retire following a violent off the track.
Stroll was riding fourth behind Ricciardo on lap 44 when he suffered a puncture in his left rear tire as he negotiated a corner at over 270 km / h, propelling his Racing Point against the crash barrier.
Some cameras showed him extricating himself from the damaged car, before being repatriated by motorcycle to the pits. The Canadian had been struggling for a second podium this season, after finishing third at the Italian Grand Prix last week.
After two red flags resulting in the interruption of the race and a total of three standing starts, Hamilton easily got ahead of his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas at the finish line.
It was the Briton’s sixth victory in nine races this season, and his 90th victory, bringing him one step closer to the all-time record, which belongs to legendary German driver Michael Schumacher.
“I’m a little dizzy, it was three races in one. This track is phenomenal, and it was not easy to fend off Valtteri’s attacks. All these reminders, we had to stay focused, it was very, very difficult.” Hamilton said.
For his part, Red Bull driver Alexander Albon completed the podium, ahead of Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo and Racing Point driver Sergio Perez.
“It was good obviously it is a while to get here but it was a tough one. I had to work for it. I am happy. I can breathe. It is nice to be here.” Albon said.
Hamilton still dominates the F1 drivers’ championship, ahead of Finn Bottas and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who was also forced to retire due to an accident on the first lap of the event.
