Story highlights Lewis Hamilton wins Canadian Grand Prix

Closes in title race on Nico Rosberg

Rosberg fifth after first corner tangle with Hamilton

Sebastian Vettel finishes second

(CNN) Lewis Hamilton dedicated his fifth victory in the Canadian Grand Prix to Muhammad Ali after holding off a determined challenge from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel Sunday in Montreal.

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. That's for Muhammad Ali," said Hamilton over his race radio in tribute to the former three-time heavyweight boxing champion who died last weekend.

Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg could only finish fifth after the pair tangled on the first corner and has seen his title lead cut to just nine points.

📻 HAMILTON: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee - that one was for Muhammad Ali" #CanadianGP 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/RoeSmjy1TJ — Formula 1 (@F1) June 12, 2016

It was a controversial opening to the race in Montreal as Ferrari's Vettel surged past both Rosberg and polesitter Hamilton off the grid.

Hamilton refused to give way as Rosberg attempted to overtake him to his right and the German ended in the escape lane, losing several places.

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