Vettel delighted after fourth successive win

Red Bull driver extends lead after Indian GP win۔

NEW DELHI: Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel was ecstatic after clinching the Indian GP on Sunday, his fourth successive win in the season that gave him a 13-point lead over his nearest challenger Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.

Alonso finished second at the Buddh International Circuit, while Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber finished third, fending off a strong late challenge from Lewis Hamilton of McLaren who finished fourth ahead of his teammate and compatriot Jenson Button.

Felipe Massa came home sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of his old friend Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, Nico Hulkenberg of Force India, Romain Grosjean in the second Lotus and 10th placed Bruno Senna of Williams.

“It was a very good race for us and I’m happy with the result,” said Vettel. “Finishing just outside of the points is always tough, and it was a hard afternoon for us out there. Starting with new tyres, I hoped to be able to make up a couple of places but we just didn’t have the pace so I had to keep fighting off the cars coming from behind me.

“It’s a difficult time for us but we are learning for next year so that’s one positive thing.”

Vettel also denied there being any truth to rumours that he has signed a pre-contract to join Ferrari in 2014, according to ESPNF1.

“No, there’s nothing, nothing to tell you, nothing I’ve signed. Nothing has changed.”

Meanwhile, Red Bull chief Christian Homer said the team needs three ‘perfect’ race weekends to ensure a third straight drivers’ and constructors’ world championship double.

“We certainly cannot afford to be complacent because Alonso keeps turning up,” said Horner.

Horner was also unfazed by Alonso’s bullish talk that he will win at Interlagos in Sao Paulo on November 25 to take his third world championship crown.

“Talk is cheap at the end of the day. It is going to be a question of having three perfect weekends.”

Lotus confirm Raikkonen for 2013

The Lotus team confirmed Kimi Raikkonen will remain with them in 2013.

“I feel very comfortable with Lotus and we share the same philosophy of racing,” said Raikkonen. “Continuing with the team was an obvious choice for me and I’m looking forward to it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2012.