MONZA, Italy -- Sebastian Vettels rivals have all but conceded the Formula One title after the German recorded his sixth victory of the season with a resilient performance to win the Italian Grand Prix. Ryan Pressly Astros Jersey . While Vettels victory at the Belgian GP two weeks ago was clinical, Sunday he was forced to overcome a difficult start from the pole position and gearbox trouble to beat Ferraris Fernando Alonso and Red Bull teammate Mark Webber. "The heartbeat was a bit higher in the car and also the pit wall, because we didnt know what was going on," Vettel said about the gearbox problem. "I tried to pace myself a little bit more and control the gaps." Before the race, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali gave Alonso two races -- the next is Singapore in two weeks time -- to close the gap before the team switches its focus to developing next years car. Alonso is 53 points behind Vettel with seven races to go and the Spaniard already sounds like hes given up. Lewis Hamilton is 81 points back in third with only 175 available. "We didnt close the gap in the championship, which is obviously the goal," Alonso said. "We dont have enough races and we dont have the speed now to win consecutive races." Nevertheless, Alonso drove well from fifth on the grid. "Its a fantastic feeling here in Monza. The fourth year I have driven for Ferrari, the fourth time on the podium," he said. "Every year its something amazing, something unique." Vettel locked his tires on the first turn as the Ferrari of Felipe Massa pressured him from behind, but after that the German consolidated his advantage to beat Alonso by 5.4 seconds and Webber by 6.3. "This is the best podium of the season, Im very proud," Vettel said. "We had problems with the gearboxes at the end, but I was OK because I had a good cushion." Monza is the home race for Ferrari fans and there were loud jeers when Vettel was on the podium. "You can hear the difference when you dont win here in a red suit but it means you have done well and beaten the red men (of Ferrari)," Vettel said. "The more booing we get the better weve done today. I dont blame the people to be honest, its in their genes. They love Ferrari." It was Vettels third career win at Monza -- his first was with Toro Rosso in 2008 and then Red Bull in 2011 -- his sixth of the season and 32nd overall, moving him even with Alonsos win total. He was more emotional than usual, shaking his head vigorously in celebration and letting out his trademark high-pitched whoop as he celebrated his third win in the past four races, then pumping his fist several times as he walked up the podium steps. Massa finished fourth ahead of German drivers Nico Hulkenberg -- a seasons best for Sauber -- and Nico Rosberg, who was sixth on a poor day for Mercedes. There was light rainfall before the race, but the sunshine returned as Vettel started from pole for the 40th in his career and first since the Canadian GP in June. Roared on by thousands of flag-waving tifosi, Ferrari had a point to prove and Alonso brilliantly overtook Webber on the outside and then zoomed ahead of Massa. After 10 of 53 laps, Vettel led Alonso by about 5 seconds, but engineers told him that his front right tire had taken some damage on turn 1 and Alonso began to make up time. Vettel pitted on lap 24, switching from medium to hard tires, followed shortly by Webber and Massa, but Alonso stayed out until lap 28 as leading drivers chose a one-stop strategy. In his last European race before he retires from F1 at the end of the season, Webber got his first podium at Monza. "Good battle with Fernando," the Australian said. "Last time in Monza, so thank you very much." Briton Paul di Restas race lasted a few seconds after he sustained damage to the front left tire of his Force India car. He appeared to hit the back of Romain Grosjeans Lotus and stewards were investigating the incident. Hamilton started from 12th after his worst qualifying performance this campaign and finished ninth. "Thats it for the Championship now," said Hamilton, who won the F1 title in 2008. Mike Scott Astros Jersey . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. Cionel Perez Jersey . "Hopefully well get all this out of the way," he said, "and everyone will be healthy the rest of the year." Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday and is expected to miss between four to six weeks. https://www.cheapastros.com/2583o-craig-biggio-jersey-astros.html . The Argentina striker has not played for the Premier League leaders since September when he refused to warm up during a Champions League match and only returned last week from a three-month unauthorized absence at home. City coach Roberto Mancini had initially told Tevez he would never play for City again after his act of public insubordination, but later softened his stance and only asked for an apology.The Montreal Canadiens play host to Josh Harding and the red-hot Minnesota Wild from the Bell Centre this evening. While Minnesota takes aim at its eighth win of November, the Canadiens will try to post just their third victory in nine games this month. Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 690 at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Montreal had won two of three outings heading into Saturdays home test against the New York Rangers, but dropped a 1-0 decision to the visiting Blueshirts. Cam Talbot stopped all 22 shots he faced to post his first career shutout in New Yorks close win at the Bell Centre. Ryan Callahans power-play goal in the second period stood as the winning margin for the Rangers. Carey Price made 33 saves for the Habs, who have dropped six of their last eight. "I dont want to make any excuses, but we all played very hard. My guys played very good defensive hockey tonight," Price admitted. "The goal was deflected, but the guys are letting me see the puck, and thats part of a solid defensive game." Price is expected to get the start in goal again this evening. Habs forward David Desharnais is back on a line with winger Max Pacioretty - and sophomore Brendan Gallagher - for tonights contest. Desharnais was a healthy scratch in two of the last four games and has just one assist and is a minus-2 in 19 games this season. He did score in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night. Pacioretty has also struggled since returning from a strained hamstring injury, recording just one assist in the past seven games. Montreal is 3-2-0 with a tie in its six all-time home games against the Wild. The Habs have won four of the past six encounters versus Minnesota overall. Thee Wild enter Tuesday having won four straight tilts and are boasting a 7-0-1 record so far in November. Jeff Bagwell Astros Jersey. Minnesota also has lost just once in regulation over its past 13 games, going 10-1-2 during that stretch. Minnesota recorded its three most recent wins on home ice, where the club is 10-1-2 on the season. The club is just 3-3-2 as the guest in 2013-14, but the Wild can get over .500 on the road during this trek, which also features stops in Ottawa, Winnipeg and St. Louis. The Wild went 3-0 on their recent homestand thanks in large part to the play of Harding between the pipes. The netminder went 3-0 with a 1.38 goals-against average and .939 save percentage during the residency and was named the NHLs Third Star for the week ending Nov. 17. Harding earned the win for the Wild on Sunday, as they notched a 2-1 regulation decision against the Winnipeg Jets. Mikko Koivus second goal of the game, which came with 3:12 remaining in the third period, proved to be the difference for Minnesota. With time winding down and the game tied, Charlie Coyle won a battle for the puck in the corner and sent a pass to the left circle for Koivu, who beat Ondrej Pavelec to the short side for the eventual game-winner. Harding took care of the rest and finished with 21 saves for the Wild. "Were pretty confident when hes in net and when he sees the puck, hes gonna stop it," Minnesota forward Zach Parise said about Harding. With Niklas Backstrom out indefinitely with a concussion, Harding is currently the clubs No. 1 option in net. He expects to get the start on Tuesday, while Darcy Kuemper could get the call tomorrow when Minnesota plays in Ottawa. Harding is 1-1-1 with a 2.68 GAA in three career outings against the Canadiens. ' ' '