Italian Grand Prix race results: Lewis Hamilton defies Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari with Monza masterclass

James Pavey

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Italian Grand Prix race results: Lewis Hamilton defies Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari with Monza masterclass image

Lewis Hamilton broke Italian hearts in Ferrari heartland as he beat Kimi Raikkonen to victory at Monza.

Hamilton extended his championship lead over Sebastian Vettel, who recovered from a first-lap tangle with his rival to battle to fourth.

Polesitter Raikkonen led home countryman Valtteri Bottas to complete the podium.

Max Verstappen was relegated to fifth after he copped a time penalty for clashing with Bottas.

It was another disappointment for Daniel Ricciardo, with his Red Bull giving up the ghost midway through the race.


CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS TANGLE ON FIRST LAP

Raikkonen won the start and defended from Vettel towards the first turn.

Brendon Hartley didn't even make it to the first turn as he was squeezed by Stoffel Vandoorne and Marcus Ericsson, and was forced to retire with damage.


However, all eyes were cast to the second chicane as Hamilton made his move on his championship rival.

On the outside, Hamilton held the line, but as he turned for the second part of the chicane and with Vettel in close proximity, there was only going to be one result.



The pair made contact and the Ferrari went round, much to the Tifosi's dismay. 

However, Vettel's blushes were spared somewhat as the safety car was called for Hartley's stricken Toro Rosso, and the German pitted for a new nose for his Ferrari.

RAIKKONEN, HAMILTON DO BATTLE

At the restart, Hamilton caught the Finn napping and grabbed the lead into the first turn.

The lead, though, lasted a matter of seconds as Raikkonen swiped his way back in front at the second chicane.



The gap plateaued to roughly a second between the pair before Ferrari blinked first on lap 20, pitting Raikkonen.



Mercedes left Hamilton out to try and create a gap and avoid a sizable overcut, even though Raikkonen quickly got up to speed.


On lap 29, Hamilton finally made his stop and came out behind Bottas and a charging Raikkonen.


The 2007 world champion had countryman Bottas in front, who was dragging out his first stint.

Before too long, the Finns had Hamilton close behind, and the trio were split by just over a second.


ANOTHER RICCIARDO RETIREMENT

Starting 19th, Ricciardo had it all to do.

His car had other ideas, and with an engine failure on lap 25, the Australian retired for the fourth time in six races.

More questions to answer by Renault?


HAMILTON MAKES HIS MOVE

On lap 38, Bottas pitted, leaving Raikkonen and Hamilton with a straight fight to the flag.


Seven laps later, the four-time world champion made his move at the first chicane, and Raikkonen had no answer as Hamilton accelerated away.



VERSTAPPEN, BOTTAS COME TO BLOWS

Red Bull's sole remaining hope had eyes on an unlikely podium for the second time in as many weeks.

Verstappen had Bottas all over him, lap after lap, and the Dutchman would need all the courage possible to keep the Mercedes behind.

On lap 43, Verstappen moved across under braking to defend from Bottas at the end of the pit straight, and the Finn was forced off the circuit.


Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty - much to his disgust - which would be added to his race time. 

He battled with Bottas to the flag, but their fight ensured Vettel had closed in enough to relegate the Red Bull pilot to fifth.


HAMILTON EXTENDS POINTS LEAD WITH VICTORY

In the end, Ferrari's challenge amounted to a whimper as Raikkonen struggled to maintain any considerable fight.

Hamilton would eventually cruise to victory by some nine seconds, with Raikkonen leading home Verstappen, Bottas and Vettel.


Romain Grosjean finished sixth ahead of Force India duo Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, with Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll rounding out the points-paying positions.

However, Grosjean was later disqualified for an illegal floor, handing Sergey Sirotkin his first point in Formula 1.

2018 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX: RACE RESULTS

Position Driver Constructor Margin
1st Lewis Hamilton Mercedes  
2nd Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +8.705
3rd Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +14.066
4th Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +16.151
5th Max Verstappen Red Bull +18.208
6th Esteban Ocon Force India +57.761
7th Sergio Perez Force India +58.678
8th Carlos Sainz Renault +1:18.140
9th Lance Stroll Williams +1 LAP
10th Sergey Sirotkin Williams +1 LAP
11th Charles Leclerc Sauber +1 LAP
12th Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren +1 LAP
13th Nico Hulkenberg Renault +1 LAP
14th Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso +1 LAP
15th Marcus Ericsson Sauber +1 LAP
16th Kevin Magnussen Haas +1 LAP
DNF Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Retired
DNF Fernando Alonso McLaren Retired
DNF Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso Accident
DSQ Romain Grosjean Haas Disqualified

James Pavey

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