Hamilton celebrates 'historic' day

Lewis Hamilton celebrated a "historic" day after he took his maiden Grand Prix victory in only his sixth Formula One start

Starting from pole position, the 22-year-old Briton became the first rookie to win in the sport since Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya for Williams in 2001.

Hamilton now leads the championship with 48 points, eight clear of teammate and double world champion Fernando Alonso, who finished down in seventh in race marked by chaos, and where the safety car was deployed four times.

Hamilton showed great composure, while those around him were scraping into walls and pirouetting around corners, to confirm his status as a future champion.

"It has been a fantastic day, this is history," said Hamilton. "To come here the first time in Canada, been a fantastic season already, I have been ready for quite some time for the win but just when or when.

"The team gave me a perfect car, the safety car made it a bit boring, but once we got going it got more exciting.

"We sat behind the safety car for quite some time and then dulled down for a while, then began building it (the gap) back again. The team did a great job getting me in and out before the first safety car.

"The last few laps I was just counting them down, I could see the board and I am the kind of guy to push until the end, and if you make one mistake you are on the marbles and in the wall. So I just wanted to enjoy it.

"I have to dedicate this one to my dad because without him it wouldn't all be possible."

Hamilton has now finished on the podium in all his F1 races so far.

The Briton says he now plans to enjoy being at the head of the championship, but is already looking to consolidate it in Indinapolis next weekend.

"There is plenty of time to enjoy it. I have to say hello to all my family back home, and all the fans and the team - at Woking, Stuttgart and Brixworth to prepare the car.

"Going into Indy, I go there with great confidence, we have to try to continue with the performance we have."