After all the confusion over whether the drivers would race from the get go or stick to an earlier agreement not to attempt a pass in the first two chicanes, it was finally decided that the race would begin as normal. Some drivers were visibly unhappy with the final decision, including Michael Schumacher, the German pushing cameras out of the way as he walked from car to car on the gird. Disaster for Benetton before the race even begins as Giancarlo Fisichella's Benetton is pushed off the grid. The Sauber of Nick Heidfeld also has problems, the German driver now joining Fisichella in the pits, both forced to start from there.

Niki Lauda confirmed that Michael Schumacher was telling the drivers to proceed as normal but using caution. He finally climbs into his Ferrari and prepares for the formation lap. Earlier, Michael could be seen having an animated conversation with McLaren driver David Coulthard, the four time champion obviously deeply concerned about going racing here today. The subdued atmosphere is still present here at Monza as the drivers begin the formation lap, No problems and they line back up awaiting the start of this 53 lap race.

And it's go! Montoya retains his lead, the Colombian getting away off the mark this time, Barrichello is still second, but a McLaren goes down the escape road, it's Mika Hakkinen. Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button come to grief, the Benetton losing its nose as the Jordan becomes stranded in the middle of the circuit. The Schumacher brothers are fighting for position, however Ralf is forced to yield to Michael as he gained the place by cutting a chicane. The Jaguars are off to a blinding start, Pedro de la Rosa in 6th followed by Irvine in 7th.

Jos Verstappen has pulled off more of his magnificent overtaking manoeuvres and finally takes seventh from Irvine. The Dutchman started way down the field here today. Kimi Raikkonen also gets past Irvine, meanwhile Mika Hakkinen is down in 13th place after his error on the opening lap. Up the front, Juan Pablo Montoya is pulling away with amazing speed, extending the gap back to second placed Barrichello. Meanwhile teammate Ralf Schumacher appears to be off the pace as Jenson Button retires from the event with a blown Renault engine.

Eddie Irvine is losing speed, the Irishman now back to 12th spot. Verstappen gets past de la Rosa for sixth as the second Jaguar also appears to lose momentum down the straight. Lap 7 and David Coulthard retires from fifth place, his Mercedes engine failing him when he needed it most. Rubens Barrichello is challenging Montoya, could it be the Michelin's going off as all the drivers on the French rubber appear to be struggling now. The Ferrari driver takes the lead from the Colombian at the second chicane and instantly begins to stretch out a lead. Michael Schumacher is the next to line up the Williams driver, the Bridgestone runners obviously with the advantage here.

Further down the field, Bridgestone runners are powering. Jos Verstappen is fifth with Jean Alesi in seventh! Enrique Bernoldi are enjoying a good battle for tenth place, the McLaren driver eager to get past the Arrows. Montoya goes across the chicane as he fights to defend his second place as Jean Alesi powers past the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen and up into the points! Hakkinen makes it past Bernoldi as the BAR of Olivier Panis begins to apply the pressure to the Brazilian.

Rubens Barrichello puts a lap on Minardi's new boy, Alex Yoong, but before he has a chance to the same to Irvine, the Irishman comes into the pits and retires from the race. Alex Yoong spins the Minardi ahead of Juan Montoya and Michael Schumacher, the duo able to avoid the Minardi in the process. The Malaysian gets back on track and continues on his way. Jean Alesi overtakes Verstappen for fifth, the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen also getting past the Arrows and relegating him back to seventh place.

Ferrari prepare for a stop, it's Schumacher, 10.4 seconds for the German. Alonso in as well as Ferrari get Schumacher back on track and get ready to receive race leader, Rubens Barrichello. Disaster! Fuel rig problems for the Ferrari team and Rubens is delayed by a 16 second stop! Mika Hakkinen retires from tenth place, disastrous day for McLaren! Due to Barrichello's problems, Montoya is back in the lead of the Italian Grand Prix!

It seems as if the Michelins are working well again now as Montoya picks up the pace. Mika Hakkinen waves to his fans as he makes his way back to the pits, knowing he won't be here next year. Lap 23 and Alesi pits, as does Kimi Raikkonen, 8.1 for the Jordan, 13.2 for the Sauber driver. Olivier Panis is desperately trying to get past Enrique Bernoldi for eighth place. Giancarlo Fisichella passes Nick Heidfeld as Juan Montoya continues to extend his lead. Jos Verstappen is the next to retire from the event.

Bernoldi and Panis, fighting for eighth place, come across the lapped car of Alex Yoong. The Minardi driver graciously pulls out of the way to allow the battling duo past. Lap 28 and Montoya finally pits, 11.3 for the Colombian as Ralf and Barrichello go through before the Williams rejoins. Heinz-Harald Frentzen retires his Prost with mechanical problems.

Montoya is stuck in traffic as his teammate continues to lead, however Ralf is yet to pit. Meanwhile Rubens Barrichello is extending the gap back to Montoya. 20 laps remain and although Barrichello is ahead of Montoya, the Brazilian still has to pit one more time, the Ferrari's on a two stop strategy, Williams on a one. Michael Schumacher is catching the second Williams. Fernando Alonso in for his second stop and the mechanics struggle with his back right tyre, the Spaniard forced to sit there as time ticks away.

Lap 36 and Ralf finally pits, 7.9 seconds and rejoins the circuit in fourth. Rubens Barrichello leads the Italian Grand prix with an 13 second gap back to second placed Montoya who in turn is a second ahead of Michael Schumacher. 15 drivers remain with fourteen laps remaining. Ferrari prepare for Schumacher and Barrichello to complete their second stops here this afternoon, Michael first , 6.7 seconds for the champion, the 6.4 for Barrichello. Montoya regains the lead ahead of Ralf, Rubens, Michael, Pedro de la Rosa and Jacques Villeneuve.

Now all Montoya needs is reliability and to keep in front of his charging teammate and Rubens Barrichello, 6.5 seconds covering the three drivers, to take his first ever Formula One victory. Ralf applies the pressure and takes half a second out of Montoya's lead. Montoya responds as Barrichello closes in on the second Williams. Barrichello is right on Ralf's gearbox now and makes the pass as the Parabolica. Ralf used the slip road to retain the place, but then let the Brazilian through in order to avoid being penalised.

Montoya is only seven seconds down the road with 5 laps to go. The Ferrari driver is fast and if the Michelin tyres are going off again on the Williams, it will take some brilliant driving from Montoya to keep the lead. Alex Yoong has another spin this time beaching his Minardi in the gravel at the exit of the first Lesmo and retiring from the race. Enrique Bernoldi has also retired, premature end of the Italian GP for Arrows with Verstappen retiring some time ago.

Three laps to go and Barrichello doesn't seem to be catching the leading Williams, the Ferrari driver five seconds behind. All Montoya needs to do is keep going... Penultimate lap and it looks set, Montoya is going to win his first ever Grand Prix. The Colombian crosses the line to win in Italy!!

Top six: Juan Pablo Montoya, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher, Pedro de la Rosa, and Jacques Villeneuve.