Barrichello leads home Brawn one-two at Monza

The identity of the Formula 1 world champion for this year may still be unknown, but after yesterday's Italian grand prix at Monza it would certainly appear to be going to a Brawn GP driver, a remarkable achievement given that this is the debut season for Ross Brawn's fledgling team.

Rubens Barrichello's victory, and Jenson Button's second place - his first podium finish in six races - mean that the Brackley team enter the last four races of the season perfectly placed. Indeed a win in Singapore in a fortnight's time for Button would mean only Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull could threaten Brawn's hegemony going into the final rounds, as Button has 80 points and Barrichello 66.

Button's fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton, whose McLaren had started the race in pole position, had driven beautifully to hold onto the lead until the 15th lap, when, despite a 17-second cushion, the car of Barrichello swept past him. Both Brawns were on a one-stop strategy, which meant that after they both pitted on laps 28 and 29 the road ahead of them soon cleared as their rivals were forced in for their second change of tyres and fuel.

Hamilton battled back to hold third place coming into the final lap and he covered the first half of it in the fastest time ever for a driver. But he took one risk too many while trying to overhaul Button, and mounted the curb at Lesmo corner, spinning off into a barrier. He was eventually place in 12th, but the bravery and skill of his drive suggests next season could see McLaren back on top of the pile.

Ferrari fans had something to cheer on home turf as the team's Kimi Raikkonen took third following Hamilton's spin-off, while Force India, the surprise package of the end of the season, occupied fourth with Adrian Sutil. The brave challenge of Brawn's prime rivals Red Bull showed signs of running out of steam as Vettel could only pick up a point in third and his team-mate Mark Webber crashed on the first lap. ·