Hamilton wins Italian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton revived his bid for this year’s Formula One world title on Sunday when he swept to a dominant triumph for McLaren to record his first ever win in the Italian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Briton, starting from pole position, led throughout apart from a brief spell during the mid-race pit-stops to claim his third win this year and the 20th of his career. It lifted him back into contention for the championship, but his McLaren team-mate and fellow-Briton Jenson Button’s hopes of a second world title disappeared as he was forced to retire with 20 laps remaining. “This is amazing for me and I thank my team for doing an incredible job,” said Hamilton. “It is a great day for everyone.” Alonso now leads the championship with 179 points ahead of Hamilton on 142 and Finland’s former world champion Kimi Raikkonen on 141 with defending champion Sebastian Vettel on 140 with seven races remaining. Button’s demise allowed Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber to gain full reward for a dazzling drive by finishing second 4.3 seconds behind Hamilton, but 16.2 ahead of championship leader Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, with Brazilian Felipe Massa fourth also in a Ferrari. It was Perez’s third podium finish of the season and endorsed the view of many paddock observers that he could be on the move to replace Massa at Ferrari next year. Raikkonen finished fifth for Lotus ahead of Michael Schumacher of Mercedes, the 43-year-old seven-time champion, with countryman Nico Rosberg seventh in the second Mercedes. Briton Paul Di Resta came home eighth for Force India ahead of Japanese Kamui Kobayashi in the second Sauber and Brazilian Bruno Senna, who capitalised on the late retirement of Australian Mark Webber of Red Bull, took the final point for Williams. Vettel struggled through a disappointing race during which he forced Alonso off the track, was handed a drive-through penalty and finally retired his Red Bull due to technical problems. Hamilton dominated from the start steering his McLaren clear of the field while Massa 20 metres behind him, used the leader’s tow to pull clear and pass Button before the chicane. After one rebutted effort to pass Hamilton for the lead, Massa defended an attack from Button on approach to the second chicane. Behind them, Alonso moved swiftly from 10th to seventh.