Daniel Ricciardo says his Renault team has sent "a real statement" by recording its best performance of the season with fourth and fifth at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

Key points: Daniel Ricciardo's fourth place is his best finishing position in a Renault car

Daniel Ricciardo's fourth place is his best finishing position in a Renault car Charles Leclerc claimed Ferrari's first victory at Monza in nine years

Charles Leclerc claimed Ferrari's first victory at Monza in nine years Renault's fourth and fifth marked the team's best result since its return to the sport

Ricciardo finished just off the podium as Charles Leclerc backed up his emotional Belgian Grand Prix victory one week ago to claim his second successive race win after a hard-fought battle with Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

It was Ferrari's first victory at Monza since Fernando Alonso won in 2010, and the masses of Ferrari "Tifosi" — the fanatical Ferrari supporters who are ubiquitous around the world but nowhere more numerous than in Italy — swarmed the circuit in jubilation when Leclerc crossed the line.

"We deserved that today," Ricciardo told the Renault F1 website after the race.

"It matches my best ever result here in Monza and to do it with Renault is great.

"I saw the battles happening at the front and I thought there could be a big opportunity to score strong points. I'm really happy for myself and also for the team."

Daniel Ricciardo had good reason to smile in Italy. ( AP: Luca Bruno, file )

Ricciardo's fourth-place finish was his highest since he moved to Renault at the start of the season.

Combined with teammate Nico Hulkenberg's fifth place, it was the best result for Renault since its return to Formula 1 in 2016.

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"To get the team's best result since returning to Formula 1 in fourth and fifth at a power circuit really complements Renault and their hard work," Ricciardo said.

"The race pace was really good and it's a nice reward for the team.

"The result is long overdue this year; I'm very satisfied now."

The historic Monza Circuit, with its long straights and high-speed corners is traditionally very hard on cars, with more than 80 per cent of the lap being undertaken at full throttle, leading to extra praise from Ricciardo.

"I want to give a special shout-out — obviously I'm happy for the whole team, but to the boys in Viry [where Renault's factory is located, just outside of Paris], building the engines," Ricciardo said.

"I think to get the best team result here in Monza since 2008 is a real statement.

"They've copped a lot of grief in the last few years and they've made some big gains this year on the power unit, so this one's for them."

Leclerc served warning after 'dangerous' battle with Hamilton

Leclerc was only 12 the last time Ferrari tasted victory at its home track

Fast forward nine years and it was Ferrari's 21-year-old star who was standing atop the podium, lapping up the adulation of motorsport's most fanatical supporters.

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"Thank you so much. What a race. I've never been so tired," Leclerc said afterwards.

Further endearing himself to the Tifosi, Leclerc continued in Italian.

"It means so much to me. I don't have words."

It was not all good news for Ferrari though as Sebastian Vettel's poor run of form continued when he spun twice, the second time forcing Lance Stroll into a spin when attempting to return to the track. The German finished outside of the points in 13th spot.

Leclerc was made to work for his victory, despite starting from pole position.

After a strong start, Mercedes attempted to undercut Ferrari at the pit stops, leading to a frenetic passage of racing where five-time World Champion Hamilton was all over the back of Leclerc's Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc (right) and Lewis Hamilton battled at close quarters throughout the first half of the race. ( AP: Daniel Dal Zennaro )

Leclerc was forced into some marginally legal defensive driving to keep the Mercedes at bay, pushing Hamilton onto the grass at the Roggia chicane on lap 23.

Hamilton protested that Leclerc should have given him more room. The stewards decided a black and white flag, a caution, would suffice.

On lap 36, Hamilton again felt aggrieved as Leclerc once again returned to the track, forcing Hamilton into evasive action at Curva Grande, prompting the championship leader to say: "Some dangerous driving going on here" over the team radio, although the champion was more graceful after the race.

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"He did a great job," Hamilton said.

"Congratulations to Ferrari and to Charles, he did a great job."

Hamilton did, however, question the use of the black and white flag in the post-race press conference.

"It's just racing I guess," Hamilton said.

"I had to avoid colliding with him a couple of times but I guess that's how the racing is today.

"We've just constantly asked for consistency … there was a rule put in place, and then it wasn't abided by today and they used difference consequences for the rule.

"It's motor racing, I guess, and I guess the stewards woke up on a different side of the bed this morning. I don't know."

Leclerc was just happy he avoided a penalty.

"I think it's good if we can race harder. Again, I haven't seen the images so I cannot say particularly in this case, but overall I'm happy if we can race harder. So … yeah … I'm fine."