1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Nico Rosberg wins Italian GP

Lucas Swain-BrittonSeptember 4, 2016

A strong qualifying session from Hamilton left the Englishman in prime position to extend his Championship lead, but disaster struck and German teammate Rosberg benefitted.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Jvc7
Rosberg celebrates Monza victory ahead of teammate Hamilton
Image: Reuters/M. Rossi

Nico Rosberg reduced the gap in the Formula One Championship to just two points after winning the Italian Grand Prix by over 15 seconds.

Lewis Hamilton had been leading the Championship by nine points ahead of the race and following a strong qualifying session yesterday, it seemed as if the defending champion would extend his lead on one of the calendar's most iconic tracks.

However, disaster struck for Hamilton when a slow start saw him drop to sixth and allow Rosberg and a host of other cars to overtake.

Clean air

Rosberg was left with the fortuitous position of clean air on a track of relatively few corners, and with Mercedes having the power advantage the German was able to accumulate a lengthy lead that he never lost. Hamilton battled back after his poor start to take second spot on the podium, with Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari taking third.

With this triumph in Monza, Rosberg celebrated his second win in succession and his seventh of the season. The victory also prevented Hamilton completing a hat-trick of Italian wins, a feat achieved only by Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s.