MONZA, Italy, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton put on an awe-inspiring performance to win his first Italian Grand Prix title on Sunday, and Formula One leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari extended his overall lead with a third place finish.
Hamilton moved past defending champion Sebastian Vettel to take second place in the drivers' standings, 37 points behind Alonso.
Alonso started from 10th on the grid after he had technical difficulties during qualifying, but managed to finish third to increase his overall points to 179.
Vettel had to retire when wisps of white smoke started to emerge from his car with six laps to go. His Red Bull teammate Mark Webber retired at the end of the penultimate lap.
Jenson Button was forced out of the race on the 35th lap just when the McLaren driver was looking on course for second place.
Sergio Perez was second on Sunday, 4.3 seconds behind Hamilton after starting 12th. The Mexican finished strongly, moving through the field in the closing stages and cutting Hamilton's lead.