Hamilton happy to play the villain in Ferrari's backyard

Formula One - F1 - Italian Grand Prix 2017 - Monza, Italy - September 3, 2017 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium REUTERS/Max Rossi

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - The booing began as Lewis Hamilton stepped out on to the Italian Grand Prix podium, high above the red tide of Ferrari fans surging down the straight, but not for a moment did the triumphant Mercedes driver stop smiling.

He understood their pain but that was also part of the pleasure.