Congrats to Hamilton!

Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton for his victory in the Monaco Grand Prix. On the way to the podium he overcame a rain slick street circuit and an early accident for a victory that put him at the top of the Formula 1 standings by three points over Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton was elated as the first Brit to win the race since Graham Hill in 1969. The wet circuit combined with the zero tolerance for errors inherent in temporary street circuits made for a high rate of attrition among the worlds best drivers. Rain fell all morning and six of 20 cars would eventually retire due to rain related accidents as the race was shortened to 76 laps because of time limits.

Hamilton’s brush with a wall and resultant flat tire and pit stop six laps into the race served to put him on a different fuel strategy which, combined with wet circuit related accidents by others, allowed him to finish 3 seconds ahead of second place Robert Kubica in a BMW Sauber.

Anyone that will sit still long enough to listen knows that I think temporary street circuits are just plain stupid, but I’m not about to point that out with regard to the “Crown Jewel” and the most prestigious of Formula 1 races. (OK – I will, but very quietly)

The wife and I thought we were Ferrari fans only to discover that we were actually Michael Schumacher fans, but since his retirement we have switched to McLaren and Lewis Hamilton. Way to go Lewis! Keep it up.