2008 Italian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hamilton leads on 76 points. Massa second on 74, Kubica third on 58, Räikkönen fourth on 57. Ferrari lead the Constructors’ on 131 points, McLaren second on 119, BMW Sauber third on 107.

Previous race

Hamilton crossed the finish line first at Spa but was given a 25-second time penalty by the stewards for cutting the Bus Stop chicane and gaining an advantage over Räikkönen in the closing laps. The penalty dropped him from first to third, giving the victory to Massa, with Heidfeld promoted to second. Räikkönen, who had led most of the race, crashed on the following lap as rain intensified. Hamilton’s six-point championship lead was cut to two.

Between-race developments

McLaren have appealed the Belgian decision to the FIA International Court of Appeal. The result is not expected until 23 September. Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice president Norbert Haug said: “Our disappointment was big, when the stewards took away victory from him [Hamilton] and the team. However, we are fighters.”

Ferrari confirmed on 12 September that Räikkönen will continue to drive for the team until at least 2010, ending speculation that he might retire.

Practice

All three sessions at Monza were affected by rain. In a waterlogged FP1, Sutil was fastest at 1:32.842, more than half a second clear of Barrichello and Fisichella, his Force India teammates and Honda’s driver; six drivers including both McLarens failed to set a time. The session was stopped four minutes early. FP2 dried out: Räikkönen adapted best to the changed conditions, clocking 1:23.861. Kubica was second, Heidfeld third, Hamilton fourth. Only eight laps for Hamilton in the final session; Glock was fastest at 1:35.464, followed by Vettel and Rosberg, with Hamilton completing just eight laps and ending last, almost 11 seconds off Glock’s pace.