Daniel Ricciardo breaks through for 11-year first at Italian GP

Daniel Ricciardo admitted he felt pride after his Renault team banked their best result at Monza since 2008, as the Australian driver scored his highest placing of the F1 season with a superb fourth spot.

Renault's 22-point haul at the Italian Grand Prix saw them overtake Toro Rosso to stand fifth in the overall constructors' standings with Ricciardo now up to eighth in the drivers' championship.

And Ricciardo, who had qualified in fifth place, was delighted with the team's efforts on Sunday as teammate Nico Hulkenberg finished just behind him in fifth.

"We deserved that today. It matches my best ever result here in Monza and to do it with Renault is great," the 30-year-old told the Renault website.

"I saw the battles happening at the front and I thought there could be a big opportunity to score strong points.

"I'm really happy for myself and also for the team. To get the team's best result since returning to Formula 1 in fourth and fifth at a power circuit really complements Renault and their hard work.

"The race pace was really good and it's a nice reward for the team. The result is long overdue this year; I'm very satisfied."

LeClerc ends Ferrari’s nine-year losing streak

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc won Sunday's race, ending a nine-year losing streak for the Italian team at their home circuit.

Valtteri Bottas was second for Mercedes, with five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton a distant third after tyre wear took its toll in a thrilling battle with the 21-year-old Monegasque.

Ferrari fans have been starved of success at Monza since Fernando Alonso last won in the red overalls nine years ago

And Leclerc admitted: "Winning here is just a dream," as he switched to fluent Italian to address a crowd cheering a fitting win on the 90th anniversary of both Monza and F1 most glamorous team.

"Last weekend (in Belgium) was my first victory, but the emotion of winning here is 10 times that," said Leclerc, in only his 14th race for Ferrari. "Thanks to everybody. I have no words."

Hamilton's lead over his closest rival Bottas was cut to 62 points from 65, with the Briton limiting the damage by making a late pitstop for fresh tyres to set the fastest lap and gain an extra point.

Leclerc's German teammate Sebastian Vettel had an afternoon to forget, his race going from bad to worse at the one circuit where every Ferrari driver wants to impress.

While Leclerc led from pole position, the four-times champion spun off, dropped to last, served a 10 second stop/go penalty for a dangerous return to the track and was then lapped by his increasingly impressive team mate.

Stewards also handed him three penalty points, taking his 12 month tally to nine. If he gets three more in the next three races he will face a one-race ban.