F1 world championship alive after Monaco GP win: Hamilton

Reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton said his Monaco Grand Prix triumph meant the world championship fight is alive, after he had cut Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg's advantage to 24 points.

While Rosberg has 106 points, Hamilton has jumped up to 82 after his latest win.

In a rain-affected race of numerous twists and turns, Hamilton emerged victorious while his Mercedes team-mate finished only seventh - meaning the German's advantage was cut to 24 points with 15 races to go.

"I can only speak on his behalf of being in that position before and, for sure, it was a bigger cushion before and it was much easier," Hamilton was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Tuesday.

"He's still got a win advantage but, of course, the race is alive - so much can happen."

But while the Mercedes drivers are again poised to engage in a close battle for the 2016 title, Hamilton has stressed the team's more urgent priority is to sure-up their car's reliability after more small problems in Monaco.

The world champion said the team must become "more united than ever before" in an attempt to ward off growing threats from rivals.

"Really, for us as a team, we need to work hard because now we have more pressure we've started to buckle a little bit and make mistakes here and there," the 30-year-old said.

"This is a time where we really need to come more united than ever before and try to pull together to make that foundation just as solid as possible. The others are also fumbling and making mistakes, but the team that makes the least is going to be the one that wins," the Briton added.

--IANS

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