Ferrari's Massa retires from Italian GP

MONZA, Italy, Sep 9 (Reuters) Ferrari's Felipe Massa suffered a major blow to his Formula One championship hopes today when he retired from the Italian Grand Prix after just 10 laps.

The Brazilian, third in the title standings and 15 points behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton before today's race with four grands prix remaining, banged wheels with the British rookie at the first corner.

Massa pitted at the end of lap nine, went out again but returned to the Ferrari garage a lap later with the car evidently still suffering a problem.

He drove into the garage and jumped out.

The retirement in Ferrari's home race was also a blow for the team's constructors' title hopes, with McLaren's Fernando Alonso and Hamilton leading the race in one-two formation.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was in third place.

McLaren led Ferrari by 11 points before the start.

REUTERS SSC RK1855