Lewis Hamilton wins Canadian Grand Prix

Starting third on the grid, Vettel leapt off the line and into the lead, but a rushed pitstop under the virtual safety car let Hamilton back in front and Mercedes pulled off a one-stop strategy to perfection.

Nico Rosberg was the big loser of a frantic jump off the line, falling from second to 10th after being squeezed off the track by Hamilton.

Rosberg recovered to just a fifth-place finish - a spin on the final lap ending his hopes of taking fourth - and Hamilton has now closed to within nine points of his team-mate in the drivers' championship.

Valtteri Bottas was also successful with a one-stop strategy, taking a third-consecutive third place in Montreal, and Williams' first podium of 2016.

HAMMER TIME NOT NEEDED

As in Monte Carlo, where Daniel Ricciardo's botched pitstop helped him, Ferrari errors played into Hamilton's hands, with Vettel's attempts to push hard in the closing stages resulting in costly lock-ups.

A common theme of the season reared its head again as Hamilton was sluggish off the line. However, rather than throwing him down the field, the Briton's obdurate defence at turns one and two pushed Rosberg into traffic.

FERRARI LET SEB DOWN AGAIN

Though that was in evidence, Ferrari were quick to call the four-time champion in under the virtual safety car after Jenson Button retired.

As Vettel trundled into the pitlane, the VSC was turned off, allowing Hamilton to hit his straps once again.

That left Vettel - the victim of poor strategic calls in Melbourne and Barcelona earlier this season - with a lot of work to do, closing in on the Briton before errors under-braking cost him.

SILVER ARROWS STRUGGLE IN TRAFFIC

After Hamilton's early-season struggles, and once again today, it is clear that the Mercedes' aero package is unable to handle the dirty air of traffic - perhaps no surprise given how much time they have spent leading the field over the past few years.

BOTTAS AND SAINZ SHINE

The drive of the day arguably came from Carlos Sainz Jr, who smashed into the Wall of Champions in qualifying, earning a five-point grid penalty with a new gearbox.

He earned two points after jumping up 11 places from 20th, however, making a two-stop strategy and late run on ultrasoft tyres count.

IN THE POINTS

TITLE STANDINGS

1. Mercedes 223 2. Ferrari 147 (+76) 3. Red Bull 130 (+93) 4. Williams 81 (+142) 5. Force India 42 (+181)

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