MONZA, Italy (CMC) — Lewis Hamilton watched his chances of a second Formula One World title slip away, but Sebastien Vettel enhanced his claims with his eighth victory of the season yesterday in the Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, the British race car driver, whose roots are buried in the Spice Isle of Grenada, grabbed the accolade for the fastest lap time, but failed to make a big impression, and had to settle for fourth.

“It was not a great result,” said Hamilton in a post-race interview. “I started second and I fell back two places.

“I’m definitely not happy, but that is motor racing. It was a good race. I got some points, and I finished, so I can’t really complain.

“I doubt it’s still possible to beat Sebastian for the title, but we’ll keep pushing. For now, I’m looking ahead to the flyaways — they’re going to be exciting, and I’m really focused on getting some more wins for the team.”

Hamilton had a thrilling duel with seven-time F1 World champion Michael Schumacher behind the front- running Vettel.

Driving the McLaren-Mercedes, he tried lap after lap to pass Schumacher in a Mercedes, gaining marginal success on the 13th lap, but was soon rebuffed.

“I was too slow on the straights,” said Hamilton. “I was just stuck behind him. He was very fast on the straight. He was as fast if not faster than me when I had my DRS engaged on the straight.”

Hamilton finally got past Schumacher on the 27th lap, and closed to within half a second of Fernando Alonso — in a Ferrari — on the final lap.

A small under-steering mistake cost Hamilton a place on the podium, as Vettel was followed by Jenson Button, Hamilton’s teammate, and Alonso, with Schumacher grabbing fifth.

The result meant that Vettel moved to 284 points for the season, 112 clear of second-placed Alonso, and could wrap up the title at the next round on Sunday, September 25, in Singapore; Button and Webber are tied for third on 167, and Hamilton is fifth with 158.

Red Bull have 451 points to McLaren’s 325 and Ferrari’s 254.