Hamilton grateful after 'most intense race'

Lewis Hamilton says that the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix was "probably the most intense race I ever had".

Hamilton held off a challenge from Max Verstappen to take his fourth win of the season, leading from lights out to the chequered flag.

The Briton made his one and only pit stop of the Grand Prix on lap 11, switching onto the medium tyres from the softs, which he qualified on. 

MORE: Hamilton wins despite tyre issues | Hamilton: I'd still be a one-time champion without Lauda

However, his rivals attached the hard tyres to their cars, which proved to be the more favourable over the race, as Hamilton soon found trouble with graining on the medium compound.

"I don't know how satisfied I am at this moment because it was so intense," the five-time world champion said. "It was probably the most intense race I ever had. 

"I'm not mad at that, that's how racing should be. It's just difficult when you're out there on your own for so long and there's nothing that Bono [Peter Bonnington, Hamilton's race engineer] can say or do to help."

"It's all down to me to bring it home for the team,  and for Niki. The pressure felt immense. There was every opportunity to crack today, particularly with that pressure."

Hamilton almost crashed '30 times'

Hamilton said that he kept his mental strength high, admitting that he touched the barriers on a couple of occasions on his way to victory.

The 32-year-old also made contact with Verstappen in the final laps as the Dutchman attempted a move for the lead of the race.

"I was determined not to, and if you crack up here, you're done. Everything is done. On a positive side, I'm strong mentally.

"It's great for the team, Max put on a great race and I nearly crashed about 30 times so I'm grateful I didn't. I did touch the wall quite a few times but so grateful it's over."