Defending drivers world champion Sebastian Vettel moved within sight of retaining his title with ease today when he drove to a comprehensive victory at a crash-hit and thrilling Italian Grand Prix.

As the 24-year-old German steered his Red Bull car clear of the field, his nearest title rival and team-mate Mark Webber, crashed out - leaving the dazzling Vettel to open up a luxurious 112 points lead with six races remaining.

Briton Jenson Button finished second in the leading McLaren, the Englishman taking full advantage of a battle between his team-mate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher of Mercedes, to finish on the podium after a typically well-judged drive.

Two-times champion and local hero Fernando Alonso fought to hang on for a rousing third place for Ferrari, to the delight of the tifosi who invaded the circuit at the finish to cheer their famous team's colours on the elevated podium.

Alonso is now second in the title race.

Hamilton, frustrated by Schumacher and ultimately frustrated also by Alonso in the closing laps, came home fourth, just a few metres behind Alonso with Schumacher, a five-times winner at Monza, finishing fifth for Mercedes thanks to another performance that stirred memories of his halcyon days as the supreme champion.

Brazilian Felipe Massa finished sixth in the second Ferrari, Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari was seventh for Toro Rosso and Briton Paul Di Resta eighth for Force India, Brazilian Bruno Senna, in his second race for Renault, and 10th placed Swiss Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso.