Hamilton, 22, had another highly impressive afternoon but the British rookie was doomed to follow in the Spaniard's slipstream after his team mate secured pole position in Saturday's qualifying.

He crossed the line six seconds behind Alonso, who celebrated his 19th career win and fourth of the season.

Hamilton now has 92 points to Alonso's 89 in what looks increasingly like a two-man battle, dependant on the outcome of a hearing of the governing body in Paris on Thursday that could wreck their title hopes.

Ferrari, winners four times in the previous five seasons at the temple of Italian motorsport, had to make do with Kimi Raikkonen's third place.

The Finn fell further behind in the title reckoning, 18 points adrift of Hamilton who highlighted his talents further by overtaking the Ferrari for second place with a brilliant move after his final pitstop.

On a sunny but miserable afternoon for Ferrari, ever more McLaren's bitter enemies since a spying row erupted between the two in July, Brazilian Felipe Massa was forced to retire with just 10 laps gone.

Italian Grand Prix Arrival

reuters