Sunday, September 13, 2009

Button back as Barrichello wins

By Chris Whyatt

Rubens Barrichello headed Jenson Button to a Brawn one-two in a tense Italian Grand Prix as the Englishman scored his first podium finish in six races.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole but was beaten on strategy, lost third place when he crashed on the last lap trying to chase down Button.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen took the place ahead of Force India's Adrian Sutil.

Brawn's title rivals Red Bull had a bad day as Mark Webber crashed on the first lap while Sebastian Vettel was eighth.

Button has had his championship lead cut by two points to 14 from second-placed Barrichello, while Vettel sits 12 points behind the Brazilian with Webber 2.5 points behind his team-mate in fourth.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso pushed hard throughout the race to finish fifth, just ahead of McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen.

It was great to have such a good start. The first lap made my race

Rubens Barrichello

After starting back in 15th, Nick Heidfeld did well to score two points for struggling BMW Sauber with a seventh place.

Hamilton was classified in 12th place after crashing out on the exit kerb of the first Lesmo on the last lap having been breathing down Button's neck for the final third of the race as he desperately tried to get in a position to overtake his compatriot.

The 13th grand prix of 2009 was a tale of two races within a race - pole-sitter Hamilton trying to gain enough time to stay ahead of the Brawns knowing he needed to stop twice, while they competed against each other while making sure to keep Hamilton at bay.

In-form Barrichello - whose engine survived after only being given the go-ahead on the morning of the race - made a brilliant start, jumping into fourth from fifth as Kovalainen slipped alarmingly down the field before consolidating that with an aggressive first lap.

"It feels great. I have no words," he said after claiming his second win in three races.

"I had a tough night, we didn't know if the gearbox would be OK and there are some concerns. But it should last.

"It was great to have such a good start. The first lap made my race. There will be times when we don't have to worry about the Kers [energy power-boost button] cars, but with the straight lines here you do."

More to follow.

ะพ 4:38 AM

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