Author: Bob Cartwright
Britain's Lewis Hamilton, driving a McLaren, survived a collision with the barriers to win an incident-packed Monaco Grand Prix and take the lead in this year's Formula 1 world championship.
An early error by Hamilton led to a punctured a rear tyre but ultimately helped his cause in a race dominated by changeable weather. He took on fuel at the tyre change which meant he could delay his final pit stop and build a decisive lead.
BMW's Robert Kubica beat Felipe Massa's Ferrari to second. Force India's Adrian Sutil, who had fought a brilliant race, was unlucky to lose out out his fourth place after Raikkonen, close behind Sutil after a late safety car period, lost control while braking for the chicane and slammed into the back of Sutil.
As forecast, the race started in drizzle and the rain was a major player as the drivers struggled to keep their cars on the narrow winding circuit.