F1: Nico Rosberg wins Italian GP, moves closer to title hopes

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (top) celebrates his Italian Grand Prix victory with his crew at Monza in Italy yesterday. Pic/AFP

Monza: Nico Rosberg exploited Lewis Hamilton's poor start to claim his first Italian Grand Prix at Monza yesterday and move to within two points of his Mercedes teammate in the world championship.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (top) celebrates his Italian Grand Prix victory with his crew at Monza in Italy yesterday. Pic/AFP

Rosberg roared into the lead at the first corner when pole-sitter Hamilton became bogged down and pulled away to control the race with calm aplomb and finish 15 seconds clear of the defending three-time champion.

Sebastian Vettel came home third, 5.9 seconds further adrift, ahead of his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

It was Rosberg's first Italian win, his seventh of the season and 21st of his career, reviving his championship challenge with seven races remaining.

Brilliant start for Nico
"It was all down to the start. I had an awesome start and it was all from there," beamed Rosberg.

It was also the 50th podium finish of Rosberg's career and prevented Hamilton completing a cherished hat-trick of Italian wins, to equal a feat achieved only once before by Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s, and register his 50th career victory.

It was the first time in seven years that the race was not won by the driver starting from pole position. "Good job!" Hamilton grimaced as he shook hands with Rosberg afterwards.

Battle ahead for Lewis
Hamilton, who effectively lost the race in the first 20 metres when the lights went out, now leads the title race with 250 points ahead of Rosberg on 248 and knows, from the look on his face, that he has a battle to stay in front.

"Thank you everybody," said Rosberg.

"I feel a part of me is Italian because I have a lot of friends and grew up with the culture, so it's special for me," he explained.