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Hamilton storms to Canada win

MONTREAL, June 10 - McLaren's Lewis Hamilton stormed to a Canadian Grand Prix victory to become a magnificent seventh winner in seven Formula 1 races in the 2012 season.

Hamilton mounted a ferocious charge after his second pitstop, setting a series of fastest laps to reel in Red Bull's reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

It was Hamilton's third win in Montreal, an island circuit where he took his first Grand Prix triumph in 2007, in five attempts.

Lotus’ Romain Grosjean was second, a career best, ahead of Sauber’s Sergio Perez in third after overtaking Alonso. Grosjean may end up partnering with Alonso in 2012 if he continues to impress.

‘IT’S BEEN YEARS SINCE I WON HERE’

Hamilton, who also stood on top of the podium in Canada in 2010, had his most worrying moments in the two pitstops, McLaren's weak point in 2012, but on the track he was unstoppable.

Hamilton said: "What a great feeling, this is where I won my first Grand Prix and I knew today would be a tough, tough race but I loved every single minute of it."

Image gallery!

Hamilto now has 88 points to Alonso's 86 and Vettel's 85.

Brandishing the British flag as he stepped out of the car after a gripping finale, he hugged his mechanics while girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger kissed his visor.

Hamilton said: "It's been five years since I won here the first time but it feels just as good. It feels great to be on the top step, we never take it for granted.

"This for me feels like one of the very best races I have had for a long time," he said.

Vettel had started from pole, as he did in the 2011 race, and led the early part of the 70 lap race but lost pace over the final laps to finish fourth in a Grand Prix that his Red Bull team have yet to win.

Alonso, bidding to give resurgent Ferrari a victory on the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of former-Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve but struggling on worn tyres at the finish, had to settle for fifth.

Click here for full race results!


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