Italian Grand Prix 2013 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel continued his winning streak at Monza, claiming victory at the Temple of Speed despite Ferrari's passionate tifosi hoping for a home triumph. Vettel converted pole position into his second consecutive win, holding off Fernando Alonso's charging Ferrari and Mark Webber's Red Bull to secure the Italian Grand Prix. The victory was particularly impressive given the intense pressure from Alonso and the hostile atmosphere from Ferrari fans desperate to see their hero win on home soil.

The race showcased Vettel's mental strength as he resisted sustained pressure from Alonso throughout, refusing to crack despite the Ferrari driver's aggressive pursuit. Alonso drove brilliantly to take second, extracting every ounce of performance from a car that lacked the Red Bull's ultimate pace. Webber rounded out an impressive Red Bull weekend with third place, though the continued dominance by his teammate extended the tension from their Multi-21 incident earlier in the season.

Vettel's Monza victory was significant not just for extending his winning streak but for doing so at Ferrari's home race, effectively crushing Alonso and the Scuderia's championship hopes. With seven races remaining and Red Bull's performance advantage apparently insurmountable, the championship was increasingly becoming a procession. Hamilton's fastest lap for Mercedes hinted at pace they couldn't translate into victories, while Red Bull's technical supremacy was becoming oppressive for their competitors.