Highlights

Alonso posts landmark win for McLaren

(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-05-28 08:49

Spain's two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso won his second successive Monaco Grand Prix here on Sunday to record his McLaren team's 150th success.

Alonso - recording his 17th career victory - beat home team-mate Lewis Hamilton, his fourth successive second place in his maiden season, while Felipe Massa of Ferrari was third, his best result in the race.

McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain kisses his trophy after winning Monaco F1 Grand Prix in Monte-Carlo May 27, 2007. [Reuters]

Alonso now leads the title race on 38 points, the same number as Hamilton, but has the edge as he has won two races this season.

"This is a fantastic result for me and it has been fantastic weekend," said Alonso, who led by seven seconds after 20 laps. "There is no doubt about that.

"For me to have the hat-trick of pole position, fastest race lap and then win the race is something very special, especially here in Monaco. I really enjoyed it! The car was so great to drive and it is so easy and enjoyable to drive a car like that for 78 laps."

But while Alonso celebrated with a broad smile, his younger team-mate Hamilton looked rueful. He claimed his fifth consecutive podium finish after finishing third on his debut in Australia and then four second places.

"I tried to attack him and wanted to win if I could, but I have to accept that I am in my rookie season and he has number one on his car and I have number two. I am the second driver and so I must accept that and respect that for the team," said Hamilton.

He added that he was keen to ask his engineers for an explanation as to why he was called into the pits for refuelling two laps earlier than expected when he felt he had a chance to cut into Alonso's lead.

"The team told me to take it easy later on and just concentrate on the one-two result, but to be honest I kept on pushing because that is my way.

"I just did not want to take any risks, or push Fernando hard and put him under pressure so he made a mistake and I crashed into him."

Alonso added: "I had some big problems with the traffic, especially with (Jarno) Trulli who held me up for three laps and cost me six seconds. But I never felt worried by Lewis because even if you are half a second behind here it is impossible to pass."

It was the McLaren team's first one-two finish at the famous race on the unforgiving Mediterranean street circuit since 1989, the heyday of Brazilian Ayrton Senna, who won ahead of Alain Prost of France.