Hamilton overcomes blunder to win in Monaco

Lewis Hamilton overcame an early collision with the barriers to win a dramatic, rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday and move three points clear in the overall championship standings.

Hamilton's blunder left him with a punctured rear tire but the incident was to work in his favor in a race run in changing conditions.

McLaren refueled Hamilton's car as his tire was changed and this made it possible for him to delay his final pit stop and establish a decisive lead.

"This is the highlight of my career, and it will be the highlight for the rest of my life," Hamilton told the British Press Asscoiation.

"I was able to get a good start. I felt comfortable and I knew I had a good car to challenge Felipe (Massa), but then as the rain came down there was so much spray.

"Through Tabac I hit a river of water and slid into the barrier, but fortunately I was able to tell the team and they reacted very quickly. "They did a great job and without them I wouldn't have won this."

Robert Kubica, in a BMW Sauber, edged pole sitter Felipe Massa of Ferrari out of second place but there was heartbreak for Force India's Adrian Sutil who lost fourth place after a superb drive when world champion Kimi Raikkonen crashed into his rear end in the closing stages.

The Finn, who had closed on Sutil after a safety car had to be deployed, slid into the back of the German's car after breaking at the chicane.

Sutil had to retire but Raikkonen was able to resume after having a new nose cone fitted and finished ninth after a below-par performance.