Michael Schumacher's 90th race victory came on the same day as he announced his retirement from the sport.
The race started in controversy, when it was announced that Fernando Alonso was to take a 5 place demotion (to 10th) for holding up Filipe Massa during qualifying. However it seems Renault, and most of the paddock believe this to be rubbish. Renault may appeal the decision at a later date.
Kimi got a good start from Pole position, and managed to hold off all attacks into and through the first chicane. Heidfeld actually managed to get ahead of Michael into the first corner. However, Michael braved the outside and clawed the place back. This allowed Heidfeld's BMW-Sauber team mate Robert Kubica to overtake him, to take third position.
After lap one the order was Raikkonen from Schumacher, Kubica, Massa, Button, Alonso, Heidfeld, De la Rosa, Fisichella and Barrichelo in tenth.
Lap 9 saw Nico Rosberg in the Williams retire. This was not, however, due to the engine failing as expected (as the engine this weekend was experimental) — rather, it was the transmission, and Nico could not engage any gears. This was probably due to damage caused by the forces applied to it when cutting the kerbs at the Monza track, as they can be very hard.
Kimi and Michael had managed to pull away from the chasing pack and were 7 seconds ahead of Kubica in third when the first of the pit stops happened. Lap 14 saw the McLaren of Pedro de la Rossa pit for fuel and tyres.
Kimi followed his team mate on the very next lap, allowing Michael to use the lighter Ferrari to put in a fast lap. Michael did this and pitted on lap 17, and came out ahead of the McLaren car of Kimi.
This allowed the F1 new boy to take the lead of the race. Robert Kubica has only driven in three F1 races so far. However the BMW-Sauber has been fast all weekend at Monza, and Kubica lead the Grand Prix for 6 laps before pitting.
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