Formula One news

Hamilton unable to defend title

Lewis Hamilton's crash and subsequent non-score at Monza confirms that a new World Champion will be crowned in 2009. In fact, only a Brawn GP or Red Bull Racing man can now pick up the elusive title, with fifth-placed Kimi Räikkönen able to equal Jenson Button's points total but not the Englishman's amount of race wins.

It was a highly disappointing end to the race for the reigning title holder as Hamilton, who was running just over a second and a half behind second-placed Button, dropped his left-rear wheel over the kerb before spinning into the wall at the first Lesmo.

Hamilton led the field from pole at the start of the race

"It is built like a rock so it's all good," Lewis told the BBC after sustaining a heavy impact at the 120mph corner. "For every lap I was pushing like a qualifying lap, so it's to be expected; we didn't have the pace and I was pushing as hard as I could - I can only say I'm sorry to the team."

Lewis is pleased with the general pace of his McLaren-Mercedes in relation to the Brawn-Mercedes, however, which has had a substantial advantage for most of the season. "We've got some upgrades coming and hopefully that will give us a little bit of an edge," Hamilton added. "Maybe I won't have to push 130 per cent - maybe I can just push 110 per cent.

"I apologise to all my fans and send my love to my family."

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