Vettel storms to victory in Monza

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates winning the Italian F1 Grand Prix at the Monza circuit yesterday. He led from pole position to celebrate his 32nd career win and third at Monza.

AFP/Monza, Italy

Sebastian Vettel extended his lead in the drivers’ world championship to more than 50 points and was then booed by the crowd after claiming a polished victory for Red Bull in yesterday’s Italian Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old German, series leader and defending triple world champion, survived a torrid start and gearbox problems as he dominated an intriguing 53-laps race. Vettel came home 5.4 seconds clear of Fernando Alonso, as the Ferrari driver thrilled the tifosi with a battling chase in pursuit ahead of third-placed Australian Mark Webber in the second Red Bull and Brazilian Felipe Massa, fourth in the second Ferrari.

On a warm, if overcast, afternoon, Vettel proved both his sublime talent and fighting spirit—both Red Bull men were told to nurse their cars home—to reel off his sixth win of the season.

It was also the 32nd of his career, equaling Alonso’s total on the list of winners. It was Vettel’s third win at Monza—and greeted by loud booing from the tifosi who flooded across the circuit during a dramatic podium ceremony. “It was a fantastic race, but you can hear the difference when you don’t win here in a red suit,” said Vettel, who claimed his maiden victory for the Italian-owned Toro Rosso team in the rain-hit 2008 race. “But this means you have done well and beaten the red men! It was a great team effort today. The race was terrific for both of us as we had problems with the gearboxes at the end, but I was ok because I had a good cushion. It is a fantastic win.”

His brilliance, however, was matched on the day by that of Briton Lewis Hamilton, who started 12th, lost the use of his team radio and suffered a slow puncture, but he fought back twice to finish ninth. 

“A nightmare weekend,” he said before conceding that he felt it was virtually impossible for him now to fight for the title.

“Fantastic Seb! You’ve won the Italian Grand Prix again,” said Red Bull team chief Christian Horner. “A brilliant drive...” Vettel replied with his characteristic scream and added: “Very good boys, very good race. Sorry for the lock up into the first corner, made the first stint a bit tricky.” German Nico Hulkenberg, who had qualified a stunning third in his Ferrari-powered Sauber, came home an excellent fifth to endorse his claims as a possible successor to Massa next season. 

“I can’t say I am not interested in this—it’s a ‘no brainer’ and we just have to wait and see what decision is taken,” he said.

Compatriot Nico Rosberg finished sixth in the leading Mercedes ahead of Red Bull-bound Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso and Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Lotus.

RESULTS/STANDINGS

Race Results: 1.Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull) 1h 18min 33.352sec, 2. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) at 5.467sec, 3. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull) 6.350, 4. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) 9.361, 5. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Sauber) 10.355, 6. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 10.999, 7. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso) 32.329, 8. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus) 33.130, 9. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 33.527, 10. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) 38.327, 11. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus) 38.695, 12. Sergio Perez (MEX/McLaren) 39.765, 13. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) 40.880, 14. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams) 49.085, 15. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) 56.827, 16. Adrian Sutil (GER/Force India) 1 lap, 17. Charles Pic (FRA/Caterham) 1 lap, 18. Giedo van der Garde (NED/Caterham) 1 lap, 19. Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia) 1 lap, 20. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia) 1 lap

 Drivers Standings: 1.Sebastian Vettel (GER) 222.0pts, 2. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 169.0, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 141.0, 4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 134.0, 5. Mark Webber (AUS) 130.0, 6. Nico Rosberg (GER) 104.0, 7. Felipe Massa (BRA) 79.0, 8. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 57.0, 9. Jenson Button (GBR) 48.0, 10. Paul di Resta (GBR) 36.0, 11. Adrian Sutil (GER) 25.0, 12. Sergio Perez (MEX) 18.0, 13. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 18.0, 14. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) 17.0, 15. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) 13.0, 16. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) 1.0 

Constructors Standings: 1.Red Bull 352.0pts, 2. Ferrari 248.0, 3. Mercedes 245.0, 4. Lotus 191.0, 5. McLaren 66.0, 6. Force India 61.0, 7. Toro Rosso 31.0, 8. Sauber 17.0, 9. Williams 1.0