Lotus Racing F1 Team Race Report: Italian GP

F1 goes for its last European race of the season, and Monza holds the honour to host it. The 12 September race was Scuderia Ferrari, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Italian drivers' home race. Qualifying on Saturday saw Ferrari's Fernando Alonso taking pole position, with McLaren-Mercedes' 2009 champion Jenson Button lining up along side him on the front row. Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa as well as Button's team-mate and fellow countryman Lewis Hamilton lined up in the second row of the grid respectively in 3rd and 5th. The Red Bull Racing duo of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel started from 4th and 6th respectively. Race day saw then championship leader Hamilton retiring on the first lap after taking a risky maneuvre to overtake Massa for third. Hamilton banged wheels Massa, resulting in the former's suspension to break, putting him out of the race and eventually, the chance to earn points to defend his championship position. Button, on the other hand had a great start, overtaking Alonso on the first corner and leading all the way until the 52nd lap when he took his first pit-stop. Alonso, who pitted at the end of lap 52, just managed to squeeze ahead of Button coming down the main straight and into the first corner. It was from here onwards that Alonso piloted his scarlet machine to victory, much to the delight of the Tifosis. Button drove home second, after struggling with his new set of tyres with Massa taking the final step on the podium. Webber, who finished 6th now leaves Europe manning the championship lead with 187 points to 2nd place Hamilton's 182 points. Alonso's win saw him overtake Button in the standings for 3rd with 166 points, with the McLaren driver one point less behind. Back at the end of the pack, Lotus Racing F1 Team had an average race on the first anniversary of the team's application to participate in F1 was accepted. Lead driver Jarno Trulli retiring on lap 46 while Heikki Kovalainen finishing 18th after they qualified 18th and 19th respectively. After the race meanwhile, great news greeted the team as they are set to relive the legendary name of Team Lotus and the use of Renault engine for next season.