Jenson Button made it three wins from four races to strengthen his early grip on the Formula One world championship with victory in a heat-sapping Bahrain Grand Prix.

Sebastien Vettel became the youngest race winner in Formula One history following a faultless Italian Grand Prix from the 21-year-old German.

Sebastien Vettel (Toro Rosso) has won the Italian Grand Prix with Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes) second and Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) third. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) finished seventh.

Heikki Kovalainen secured the first pole position of his Formula One career to put McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the shade.

Michael Schumacher claimed the psychological advantage in his world title battle with Fernando Alonso as the German clocked a faster time than the Renault driver in the second session of free practice ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher left their mark on today’s second practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix as the pair posted the quickest times among those participating in Sunday’s race.