MONZA, Italy, Sept 14, 2008 (AFP) - Brazilian Felipe Massa has vowed to keep hot on the heels of championship leader Lewis Hamilton, after sealing sixth place in the Italian Grand Prix here Sunday.

Ferrari´s Massa fared better at the rain-lashed Monza circuit to beat Hamilton, of McLaren, into seventh - crucially closing the gap in the standings to just one point with four races to go.

"It´s been a hard race. Definitely, it could have gone better at the end. I started sixth and I was fourth after the first pit stop," said the Brazilian.

"It was difficult to choose a strategy before the race. We chose a strategy that was not too aggressive because of the rain.

"We have seen (that) every time it rains and there are difficult conditions McLaren have been stronger. Today, if they have been stronger and we have finished ahead, then it´s been a good race."

The day however belonged to 21-year-old German flyer Sebastian Vettel, of Toro Rosso, who made history by becoming the youngest winner of a Formula One race.

Vettel led from the pole with Finland´s Heikki Kovalainen, of McLaren, and Poland´s Robert Kubica, in a BMW Sauber, coming second and third.

Spain´s Fernando Alonso, of Renault, and in the second BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany finished next.

"It was difficult to pass Heidfeld. I didn´t get close enough to try again and it could have gone better - but in the end it is a positive result for us," said an upbeat Massa.

"Now we go to Singapore which is new. It could be good and different. It´s important to see the track and see how it is. This year, we have seen a lot of rain in the races.

"But we are keeping our feet on the ground and we are working day by day. We don´t think we are ´phenomenons´ - all I must do is to keep keep trying and make sure I´m in front of Hamilton."