14 Sep 2009

Barrichello, Button in Brawn 1-2 at Monza

7:31 am on 14 September 2009

The veteran Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello has produced a beautifully-measured drive from fifth on the grid to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza ahead of his Brawn GP team-mate Jenson Button.

The 37-year-old Brazilian made the most of his one-stop strategy and a fine start to finish 2.8 seconds ahead of the 29-year-old Englishman and endorse his challenge for the drivers' world championship.

The defending world champion Briton Lewis Hamilton looked certain to finished third for McLaren Mercedes, after starting from pole.

However Hamiltoncrashed heavily on the final lap and failed to finish, leaving Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in third ahead of the German Adrian Sutil of Force India and Renault's Fernando Alonso.

After starting with wins on six of the seven opening races of the season Button remains on top with 80 points.

But Barrichello is now second with 66 with just four races remaining.