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Lewis Hamilton has converted his pole position into a race win at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix. It’s his first win at Monza and McLaren’s 180th win in all. Hamilton was prominent all weekend and, despite a fast charging Felipe Massa (Ferrari) into the first corner, was never really troubled at the head of the field.

And yet it was Fernando Alonso who finished third and ended up being the real winner. It was as if the Ferrari ace was parting the red sea as he charged his way through the field from P10. He reached as high as P2 before a fast charging Sergio Perez (Sauber), himself starting from P12, overtook Alonso late in the race to equal his best finish in Formula 1.

The current era of F1 generally sees reliability throughout the field, but it was not the case at Monza this weekend. First, Jenson Button (McLaren) retired with a fuel pickup issue, then Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) was given a drive through penalty for forcing Alonso wide and off track. At least that’s what the stewards thought, the decision seemed a tad harsh from our lounge room. Worse was to come for Vettel with an alternator problem ending his race on lap 47. Red Bull’s day turned decidedly sour on lap 51 of 53 when Mark Webber kissed a bit too much kerb and sent himself into a spin. He managed to avoid the fences, but the resultant flat spots on his tyres sent him into pitlane for an early shower.

So, after all that, it was a double retirement for Red Bull—their first for 34 races— and Fernando Alonso managed to extend his championship lead by 13 points. A pretty handy result for the tifosi to cheer on after their hero started so far down the field.

For Australia’s other driver, Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), he lost his grip on the final championship point on the last lap of the race. So, not a great day for the Aussies. But at least Ricciardo had a better day than his teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne, who crashed out on lap 8 due to a problem with one of his rear wheels.

Making the smile on Hamilton’s face a little larger is the news he has moved from fifth to second in the drivers’ championship. He’s 35 points behind Alonso with eight races left in the season.

Lewis Hamilton has put his tweet rage and speculation he is in his final season with McLaren behind him to set the fastest time (1:24.010) in qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix. Alongside Hamilton is his teammate Jenson Button (1:24.133), with Felipe Massa (1:24.247)—remember him—to start from P3 for Ferrari.

Hamilton’s pole makes it three in a row for McLaren, adding to Belgium and Hungary. It’s also McLaren’s 61st front row lockout, which equals the all-time record with Williams.

Paul di Resta (Force India, 1:24.304) performed strongly to qualify fourth fastest, but will drop five places due to an unscheduled gearbox changed earlier this weekend.

Red Bull has struggled with high speed of Monza all weekend, managing to only better HRT in the speed trap. Mark Webber just missed the cut to make it into Q3 and will start the race from P11, while Vettel (1:24.802) is happy to be starting the race from P5 (after di Resta’s penalty).

Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) saved his best lap for the dying moments of Q2 and out-qualified teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, but it wasn’t enough to edge him into Q3. Daniel will start from P14, Jean-Eric from P16.

Championship leader Fernando Alonso (Ferrari, 1:25.678) was fastest in Q1 and Q2, but a rear anti-roll bar issue was claimed to be the reason he finds himself starting from P10. Alonso is quick off the line and with the long run into the first corner at Monza we’re expecting some fireworks.

Pastor Maldonado (Williams) was another driver to be docked a few grid positions after his efforts in Belgium and the finalised starting order can be seen HERE.

The transcript from the first three drivers is all yours after the break, with thanks to the FIA.

[Pics: Ferrari & Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]