Red Bull’s double defending world champion proved he is finding form when it counts when he swept to pole position in Japan last week, and then dominated the race as Ferrari’s Alonso was eliminated at the first corner. Vettel’s imperious performance, following his impressive win in Singapore, saw the German jump to within four points of Alonso, the championship leader since June, with five races to go.
Vettel won the South Korean race’s second edition last year but he has been careful not to talk up his chances of usurping Alonso, and warned that the Yeongam circuit, in the country’s rural south, poses particular challenges.
“The circuit is demanding and the last section is very tight,” said Vettel.
Conversely Ferrari have been bullish about their title chances since the Suzuka fiasco, where Alonso’s Japanese Grand Prix lasted just seconds before he was nudged out by Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus. But the famed Italian team also noted that Japan had left Alonso with a ‘bitter taste in his mouth’. With their campaign in the balance, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo issued a rallying cry.
“It’s at times like these that I want to see the Ferrari I know,” said di Montezemolo. “A team that is focused and that holds its nerve.”
The Korean Grand Prix is in only its third edition, and has suffered teething problems with heavy rain and patchy local interest.
Alonso won here in 2010 and Vettel took the honours in 2011.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2012.
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