F1 Italian Grand Prix review – Hamilton’s challenge over, while Hulkenberg stakes Ferrari claim
It was business as usual for Sebastian Vettel as the German cruised to his sixth victory of the season at Monza to extend his lead at the top of the drivers' championship to 53 points.
Capping off another dominant weekend, he converted his pole position into yet another win - the 32nd of his career, tying him with Fernando Alonso - but the real action happened elsewhere on the circuit, as yet another brilliant Italian Grand Prix played out.
Hamilton dismisses title tilt
The combination of anguish and frustration etched on his face said it all, but Lewis Hamilton's disappointing ninth-placed finish all but ended his title attempts, with seven races still remaining this season.
Hamilton has enjoyed a mixed season so far with Mercedes, from continued frustrations with tyre degradation, to the highs of bagging four back-to-back pole positions and a maiden victory with his new team in Hungary.
Any shred of hope that the British driver could repeat his feat of 2008, however was blown away as a qualifying catastrophe meant that he started the Italian Grand Prix from a lowly 12th spot.
In typical Hamilton fashion he charged through the field, only for radio failure to prevent him receiving information and result in him missing two pit stop windows. His late charge for seventh spot would have softened the blow somewhat, but the damage was already done. His comments afterwards summed up his dismal weekend: “I blew it in qualifying and it was impossible to catch up. The radio failed in the race and I didn't know what the hell was going on. I missed my pit stop by quite a few laps. It was a disaster of a weekend.”
Massa in new contract mode, but Hulkenberg stakes a case for consideration
The big news heading into the weekend was the official confirmation from Red Bull that Daniel Ricciardo would be replacing Mark Webber next season, but by the end of it attentions turned to Ferrari and just who will be driving alongside Fernando Alonso come 2014.
Over the past couple of months, it has been harder and harder to see Felipe Massa warranting a new contract, with the Brazilian driver even seeming uncertain about his own future at the Italian outfit.
Much like the tailend of last season, he has put his head down and is now trying to show that he is still capable of performing, even with a car that continues to be off the pace of the front-runners.
Massa's outperforming team-mate Alonso in qualifying to snatch fourth spot going into the race was a strong showing, while his excellent start to the grand prix to jump up to second and stick with Sebastian Vettel through the opening laps was further indication that he does have the speed to drive for a top team.
His eventual fourth-placed finish was a good return, but for all of his positives, there was one man who really set a mark for himself - Nico Hulkenberg.
Hulkenberg registered his best finish of the season with an impressive fifth place, all of which was achieved with a car vastly inferior to a number of the midfield drivers. Since switching from Force India at the end of last season the 26-year-old has been diligent in his drives and has rightfully been earmarked for bigger and better things.
Having qualified in third place in Italy, Hulkenberg proved that he has strong one-lap pace and his is an interesting case for Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo. The team's chief confirmed that he would be making his decision over the coming days, and while Kimi Raikkonen continues to be the name linked closest to the seat, Hulkenberg could be the perfect replacement.
McLaren's 50th anniversary one to forget on the track
This weekend marked the 50th anniversary of McLaren, and while off the track there were plenty of celebrations as current and ex-team members gathered around for photo-shoots and cake, on it there wasn't as much to smile about.
Despite getting both drivers on to eighth and ninth place on the grid respectively, the British team left Italy with just one point as Jenson Button crawled home in tenth spot, with team-mate Sergio Perez finishing 12th.
It was another difficult weekend for McLaren, who have amassed just 66 points in the constructors' championship, their worst return 2004.
Button pointed to a poor choice of gear ratios for his inability to pass Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo, insisting the car had strong pace, especially as the race wore on, however the helplessness was there for all to see in the face of the 2009 world champion.
Although, there is plenty to get excited about at McLaren, especially with the team switching to Honda engines of the 2015 season, for the moment there looks like being more dismal afternoons ahead for the Woking-based outfit this season.
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