Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), third on the starting grid behind the two Ferraris, took victory in the Italian Grand Prix, thus increasing his lead in the Formula 1 World Championship.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), who started from pole, and his compatriot Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) completed the podium.
German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) rallied from the bottom of the pack to fourth after colliding with Hamilton’s car on the first lap.
This new error, after those committed in Azerbaijan (4th) and Germany (abandonment in the rain), relegates him to 30 points behind the British.
Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) crossed the finish line in third position, but was penalized with five seconds for a touch on Bottas’ car, finishing in fifth place.
The French Romain Grosjean (Haas), Esteban Ocon (Racing Point Force India), the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Racing Point Force India), the Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault) and the Canadian Lance Stroll (Williams) complete the top 10.
The World Cup leader and his main rival had a slight collision at the start of the second chicane as Hamilton tried to overtake Vettel, prompting the safety car to enter. The race stewards decided not to apply penalties for the incident.
Vettel had to go through the pits to change his front wing, although he did not waste much time, with the safety vehicle on the track and the withdrawal of the car of Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso), with damage caused by a touch with another driver at the start .
“Hamilton defended well, I tried to be behind but there was no room to pass. Unfortunately it was impossible to avoid contact, ”Vettel said.
“I drove to the limit, taking into account the damage to the vehicle. The safety car helped me a bit, without a doubt, ”acknowledged the four-time German world champion.
Victim of another engine failure, Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) suffered his fourth retirement in six races. The Spanish Fernando Alonso (McLaren) also had to leave. AFP