Hamilton has a Rocky moment in Monaco

By Alan Baldwin

MONACO (Reuters) - Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton thought of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky character, a small-time boxer fighting to go the distance, after a hard afternoon on the streets of Monaco Sunday.

"It was an extremely tough race. I feel quite satisfied though," said the 24-year-old Briton, last year's winner in the Mediterranean principality, after starting last on the grid and finishing 12th and lapped.

"I was thinking of one of the Rocky films. He said in the first film 'I just want to see the end of the fight'," added the McLaren driver.

The difference was that, in the original 1976 movie, Rocky was fighting against the odds and for his own self-respect against the heavyweight world champion whereas Hamilton is defending the title.

Hamilton's chances of winning Sunday disappeared the day before when he crashed in qualifying.

He then damaged his front wing in the race when he tangled with BMW-Sauber's Nick Heidfeld in the early stages at Sainte Devote, with the part replaced at his second stop only after 53 of the 78 laps.

Hamilton was left with just nine points to his credit from six races this season, while compatriot Jenson Button has 51 after winning five times.

However, the champion said he would keep pushing and hoped to win his favourite race again next year.