After 53 of the most thrilling Formula 1 laps witnessed in many years, the loyal Ferrari “tifosi” were able to charge onto the track in their thousands to cheer a Prancing Horse driver on the magnificent podium which hangs over the Monza pit lane. For the second year in succession, Fernando Alonso was able to savour the special moment. In 2010 he was there as the winner and this year, the Spaniard was third, which was absolutely the best result available to Ferrari in its home race. On the top step was Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull driver now only needs one podium finish at the next race to clinch his second consecutive title. In second place was McLaren’s Jenson Button. The result sees Fernando go second in the classification on 172 points, a slim 5 points in front of Button and Mark Webber, who crashed out of today’s race. Felipe Massa finished in his grid position, sixth, but he too would have been fighting at the front, but for a spin in the very early stages when the blameless Brazilian was nudged by Webber.