Set in luscious parkland in Northern Italy, the historic Monza circuit has been, for many years, a power circuit where teams strip their cars down to the bare aerodynamic minimums to slip through the air quicker than their rivals. Despite the addition of various chicanes over the years, the circuit remains the only “power” circuit left on the calendar. And as expected, it was the powerful Mercedes cars which rose to the top. Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button completed their fourth one-two finish of the season with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen coming in third after Mercedes-powered Lewis Hamilton crashed on the final lap.
For two Italian drivers, this event was more than just a home race. Giancarlo Fisichella was handed a drive with Ferrari, replacing tester Luca Badoer who failed to show promise replacing the injured Felipe Massa, and Vitantonio Liuzzi was promoted to race driver for Force India.
Mark Webber had a poor weekend in Italy, failing to complete a single lap in the race.
Sebastien Buemi prepares to start the Italian Grand Prix from 19th position.
Jarno Trulli races underneath the historic banking on the Monza circuit.
Having sprinted into a lead early in the season, Jenson Button now sees his teammate and Sebastien Vettel looming large in his mirrors in the title hunt.
Kazuki Nakajima rides the kerbs during Friday practice.
Like the previous race in Belgium, the Italian Grand Prix is set within a forest.
Williams drivers Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg at the Parabolica corner pursued by Renault's Romain Grosjean.
Local driver Vitantonio Liuzzi gets the call to race the Force India VJM02 in place of the departed Fisichella.
Romain Grosjean finished a disappointing 15th for Renault in his first Italian Grand Prix.
Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi enters the flowing Ascari chicane.
Kazuki Nakajima sits in his Williams-Toyota FW31 in his garage.
Jarno Trulli during qualifying. The Italian qualified 11th and finished 14th.
Giancarlo Fisichella sits in his Ferrari, replacing the ill-fated Luca Badoer.
Romain Grosjean rounds the final turn at the Monza circuit.
Race winner Rubens Barrichello darts through the shadows cast by the trees at the Monza circuit.
Last year's winner Sebastien Vettel sits in his car named "Kate's Dirty Sister".
Nico Rosberg seen in the shadows of the parkland circuit.
Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position but failed to finish after crashing on the last lap.
Robert Kubica seen entering the last corner at the Italian circuit.
Rubens Barrichello speeds to victory on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Italy.
