McLaren use Hamilton win to challenge Ferrari

LONDON, England (CNN) -- McLaren boss Ron Dennis has lauded Lewis Hamilton's first win in Monaco as "sensational" and fired a warning shot across Ferrari's bow, saying his team have enough pace to catch the championship leaders.

Hamilton survived an early punctured rear tire after touching a barrier, but the incident was to work in his favor.

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.

An ecstatic Dennis said Hamilton's win, which took him back to the top of the drivers' championship, left them in a strong position to overhaul Ferrari in the race for the constructors' championship.

He said the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix was a happy hunting ground for Hamilton, who picked up his first Formula One win there last year.

"Lewis's sensational win has taken him back to the lead of the drivers' world championship and we now go to Montreal... in a strong position to continue our challenge for the championships."

Dennis believed McLaren could have secured a 1-2 finish in Monaco had Heikki Kovalainen, who finished eighth, not had problems on the grid.

"We would have had the pace for a 1-2 finish. That was a disappointment for him [Kovalainen] and us, but he drove a fantastic race thereafter and his time will surely come."

Hamilton remained elated after his dramatic win.

"I am absolutely over the moon. To win here in Monaco is the highlight of my career and an occasion I will always remember... what a day and what a result."

Ferrari, however, were far from happy.

"We cannot deny we are disappointed with this definitely negative outcome, the result of a combination of errors on our part and bad luck," team sporting director Stefano Domenicali said.

"With hindsight it is easy to say we should have made different choices, but the reality is that, at every level, we did not meet our usual high standards."

Domenicali said the team would have to work hard to prepare for Montreal as the track "did not suit us so well last year."

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who finished ninth and outside the points after hitting Adrian Sutil from behind, was also despondent.

"A very poor race for me, right from the off. It's a shame how things went, as we had the potential to do well. It's true that I've lost the championship lead, but I always said the championship would be a very long one."

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