Monza's importance not lost on Vettel

London: Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel returns to the scene of his first Formula One victory this weekend hoping to pull off another Italian Grand Prix win against the odds.

The 23-year-old German triumphed for tiny Toro Rosso at the Milanese circuit in 2008, after also securing his first pole, and Sunday's final European race of the season promises to be another big challenge despite Red Bull's qualifying prowess.

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner expects Monza, the fastest circuit on the calendar with its long straights, to again favour McLaren and be his championship-leading team's hardest race of the year.

Vettel arrives at the historic track with criticism ringing in his ears after he drove into McLaren's world champion Jenson Button at Spa, shunting the Briton out of a race that he also failed to take any points from.

The German, who has taken seven poles in 13 races, is third overall and 31 points off McLaren's overall leader Lewis Hamilton with six races remaining.

Vettel needs a good result to stay in contention, with Australian teammate Mark Webber in the form of his life and now 28 points ahead.

"In Hungary I was asleep during the safety car period and made an error. And in Spa, when I lost the car while overtaking Jenson Button I make a mistake too. But I am open and honest enough to admit that," Vettel, who apologised to Button after Belgium, said last week.

"During the first 13 races, it did not all go smoothly but I am still only 31 points behind," he said.