F1 has a new leader after Hamilton wreck

June 9, 2008 at 5:01AM

Robert Kubica grabbed his first Formula One victory and the series points lead Sunday after Lewis Hamilton made a huge mistake that took him and world champion Kimi Raikkonen out of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Defending race winner and pole-starter Hamilton slammed his Mercedes McLaren into the rear of Raikkonen's Ferrari in the pits early in the race, taking out both leaders and giving Kubica, 23, of Poland, a clear road to victory in his 29th F1 start.

The BMW Sauber team had a winner for first time in its 42 races as an F1 team and swept the top two spots. Nick Heidfeld finished second, well ahead of Red Bull Racing's David Coulthard.

After the race, officials announced that Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be penalized 10 positions on the starting grid at the next event, the French Grand Prix on June 22.

• Funny Car star Tony Pedregon bounced back from a fire during qualifying to win for the second time this season and the 38th time in his career, beating Scott Kalitta at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joilet, Ill. Other winners were Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock), Top fuel division leader Tony Schumacher, and Chris Rivas, who got his first Pro Stock Motorcycle victory.

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