Alonso MONZA, Italy (AP):
McLaren may be facing problems away from racing in the Ferrari spy scandal.
But it's a different story on the track.
Fernando Alonso led teammate Lewis Hamilton for McLaren's fourth 1-2 of the season at the Italian Grand Prix yesterday - four days before a hearing in front of the World Motor Sport Council which could result in a two-year ban for the team from Formula One.
"This is special even if there is a problem surrounding the team," said Alonso, who celebrated his 19th grand prix victory and the first at Monza.
Hamilton agreed.
"It just goes to show that nothing can bring us down," Hamilton said. "We're unstoppable."
McLaren and Ferrari are embroiled in a bitter dispute over alleged espionage and attempted sabotage, after technical data about the Italian team's cars turned up in the possession of McLaren's chief designer.
Third place
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen could only manage third place, over 27 seconds behind Alonso.
"We were keen to win in front ofour fans but we did not manage it," Raikkonen said. "We were not quick enough today."
Having avoided sanctions in July due to lack of proof, McLaren now faces a second hearing before the WMSC on September 13, after the International Automobile Federation said it had "new evidence" in the case.
McLaren was also informed Saturday that it is being investigated in a separate criminal inquiry stemming from Ferrari's action against its former team mechanic Nigel Stepney, who allegedly supplied the confidential data to McLaren's chief designer Mike Coughlan.
All the sweeter then for McLaren that it finished with the top two spots at Ferrari's home track for the first time, and extended its lead over the Italian team in the constructors' championship to 23 points - McLaren with 166 and Ferrari with 143.
"The team has done a fantastic job both on and off the track in difficult circumstances and our dominance this weekend is a just reward for all their efforts," McLaren team boss Ron Dennis said.
BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld was fourth, followed by teammate Robert Kubica in fifth. Nico Rosberg of Williams was sixth.
Adding to Ferrari's frustrations, Raikkonen's teammate Felipe Massa didn't even finish the race. He retired on lap 10 with a rear suspension problem.
Disappointed
"I am very disappointed," Massa said. "It's horrible to see your chances go in the early stages because of a reliability problem."
Alonso, the two-time defending F1 champion, completed 53 laps of the 5.793-kilometer (3.6-mile) Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 37.806 seconds - six seconds ahead of Hamilton.
It was Alonso's fourth win of the season and he now trails Hamilton by only three points at the top of the driver's standings. Hamilton has 92 points, while Alonso has 89. Raikkonen is third with 74 points, followed by Massa with 69.
"It was a perfect weekend for me," said Alonso, who was also quickest in practice and qualifying. "Sometimes everything goes in the right direction. This weekendhas been good for me and to win here at Monza for the first time is very special."
Despite a poor start off the grid for both McLaren drivers, Alonso never looked threatened. Hamilton, however, was involved in early tussles for position with both Ferraris.
Massa challenged Hamilton for second place on the first lap, but the British rookie held off the Brazilian by cutting the corner on turn No. 2.
Raikkonen, who passed Kubica and then Heidfeld on the opening lap, moved ahead of Hamilton on the 40th lap when the McLaren driver pitted. But Hamilton passed back three laps later, running inside of Raikkonen at the end of the home straight.
"It was really important for me to get that place back, not only for my position in the championship, but also for all the team," Hamilton said.
David Coulthard slammed into a tire wall following a brush with Giancarlo Fisichella on the second lap and the safety car was called out, with Coulthard apparently unscathed. Racing resumed five laps later.
