Brilliant Hamilton claims Monza triumph

ByEurosport

Updated 07/09/2014 at 14:16 GMT

Lewis Hamilton overcame a nightmare start to clinch a brilliant victory over rival Nico Rosberg in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Lewis Hamilton salutes the crowd as Nico Rosberg turns away (Reuters)

Image credit: Reuters

The Briton started on pole position but immediately dropped to fourth due to a software failure in his Mercedes at the start.

But Hamilton clawed his way back into contention and passed Rosberg when the under-pressure German overshot the first chicane and had to wend his way through the run-off area.

Mercedes' seventh 1-2 of the season sees Hamilton reduce his team-mate's championship lead to 24 points, and strike an important psychological blow ahead of the last six races of 2014.

Italian Grand Prix

Kobayashi set for Caterham return

03/09/2014 at 17:25

The aftershocks of the events at Spa continue, however, with Rosberg receiving a mixed reaction from the Monza crowd.

On being asked on the podium whether the pair were "friends again", Hamilton responded: "Of course, we're team-mates," patting Rosberg briefly on the back.

Some may be unconvinced by that show of unity in a race where Rosberg's team referred to Hamilton over the radio as "the other car".

Lewis Hamilton overtakes Felipe Massa at the Italian GP (Reuters)

Image credit: Reuters

Felipe Massa took third for Williams, his first podium finish of the year, with his team-mate Valtteri Bottas doing well to take fourth after a poor start saw him sink as low as 11th.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo had an impressive afternoon, coming from ninth with some outstanding overtaking and skilful use of the brake to finish fifth, ahead of his colleague Sebastian Vettel in sixth.

Ferrari endured a torrid afternoon on their home track, with Fernando Alonso retiring and Kimi Raikkonen finishing 10th.