10 Sep 2012

Hamilton dominant at Monza, Red Bulls fail

5:59 am on 10 September 2012

Lewis Hamilton has recharged his bid for this year's Formula One drivers' world title with a dominant win for McLaren in a thrilling 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.

His McLaren team-mate Jenson Button was forced to retire with 20 laps remaining, but it was a worse day for Red Bull as both the defending world champion Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber failed to finish.

Sauber's Mexican driver Sergio Perez finished second after a dazzling drive from 12th on the grid, followed by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Brazilian Felipe Massa.

With seven races remaining Alonso has 179 points, Hamilton 142, former world champion Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus 141, Vettel 140 and Webber 132.