ITALIAN GP RESULT 1 JP Montoya (McLaren) 2 F Alonso (Renault) 3 G Fisichella (Renault) 4 K Raikkonen (McLaren) 5 J Trulli (Toyota) 6 R Schumacher (Toyota) 7 A Pizzonia (Williams) 8 J Button (BAR) Race report Race as it happened Photos from Monza

"Apart from qualifying, we have struggled the whole weekend here," said the Briton, who said on Saturday that BAR would have tough time in the race.

"We have found this a difficult circuit and it has been tough getting to grips with the low downforce configuration.

"Hopefully we will be able to get back on the pace in the next four races."

Team-mate Takuma Sato, who qualified one place behind Button, finished 16th after a problem with his refuelling rig forced the Japanese into an extra pit stop.

BAR sporting director Gil de Ferran said: "Obviously we were hoping for a better result after starting both cars on the second row.

"The handling on both cars deteriorated during the race, reducing our pace significantly."