Nico Rosberg cashes in as pitstop gaffe costs Lewis Hamilton

Germany’s Nico Rosberg celebrated a surprise hat-trick of Monaco Grand Prix victories yesterday after Mercedes blew championship-leading team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s chances with a needless pitstop.

The result, with double Formula One world champion Hamilton finishing third just when victory seemed assured, slashed Hamilton’s overall lead to 10 points after six races.

The Briton had led comfortably from pole position until he pitted for fresh tyres when the safety car was deployed with 14 laps to go.