McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton has moved up into second in the Formula One drivers’ championship after taking out the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday as several of his title rivals crashed out.
Hamilton won the race in Monza ahead of Sauber’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez in second and championship leader Fernando Alonso in third.
However, the big losers of the day were Red Bull pair Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber who both didn’t complete the race, along with Jenson Button due to a fuel pressure problem.
“It’s been fantastic to win here. I’m just so happy for my team, it’s been a fantastic day,” Hamilton said. “Fernando is a two-time world champion so I’m very happy for him too.”
Hamilton was booed by the parochial Italian crowd who were right behind Alonso in the Ferrari, but the Briton brushed off the vibes.
“It’s much nicer in Silverstone,” Hamilton said. “It’s not as special as it is in Silverstone or Monaco, but it’s one of those special grands prix as this is a very historic circuit.
“I wish we had a better reception here, but I know and I could hear the great Brit fans we had here this weekend who were standing in amongst the crowd of Italian Ferrari fans…I noticed every one of them when we did the parade lap.”
The result is a major boost for Hamilton who is now up to second on 142 points, but he’s still some 37 points behind series leader Alonso. Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen stayed in the hunt, only a point behind Hamilton, after finishing fifth.
Drivers Championship Alonso, 179 - Hamilton, 142 - Raikkonen, 141 - Vettel, 140 - Webber, 132 - Button, 101 - Rosberg, 83 - Grosjean, 76