Australian Formula One Red Bull driver Mark Webber regained the Formula One world championship lead from McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who crashed out on the first lap at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, Australia's media reported on Monday.

However, Webber, who finished sixth after dropping from fourth to ninth on the opening lap, was left frustrated and disappointed, as he claimed he and his teammate Sebastian Vettel should have done better and won more points.

Vettel finished an unexpected fourth after a strange race in which he said he lost engine power, but recovered and then utilized a late 3.3 seconds pit-stop to ensure a strong finish on fresh tyres.

"We underperformed as a team today. We could have capitalized and got more points, but we sniffed around just getting a few," Webber told Fox Sports on Monday.

"It's a bit disappointing, but at least we got some (points)."

Webber said he was also disappointed to find himself trapped behind him German rookie Nico Hulkenberg of Williams in the closing stages when the younger man several times cut out chicanes without being penalised.

"Yes, obviously I lost a lot of time behind Hulkenberg. He spent every second lap going through the chicanes," Webber said.

"The stewards did a hard job on him... they left him alone, so that was interesting. That was my race."

Webber added that he was anything but elated at regaining the leadership of the world title race.

"No, it was not good for me. You've still got to make the most of opportunities, so it wasn't the best day. We should have done a lot better," he said.

British Hamilton, who had led the standings by three points, crashed out on the opening lap and failed to score for McLaren.

Webber now leads the championship by five points. He has 187 ahead of Hamilton on 182 with Sunday's victor Fernando Alonso of Ferrari third on 166.