Vettel silences critics as title beckons
Red Bull driver closing in on fourth successive world championship.
Vettel has now won five races in a row, the longest winning streak since Schumacher in 2004, and four of the last five grands prix in Japan. PHOTO: AFP
SUZUKA:
Sebastian Vettel is used to dominating from the front but a brilliant, come-from-behind victory in Japan silenced the critics and proved it’s not all about his Red Bull car.
The young German has attracted cynicism and even boos this year but if there was any doubt that he belongs among Formula One’s greats, he obliterated it at Suzuka. Vettel was accused of sending fans to sleep with his consecutive wins at Belgium, Italy, Singapore and South Korea, but he had to fight for victory in Japan.
The performance, described as ‘quite supreme’ by his team principal Christian Horner, leaves the 26-year-old all but assured of a fourth successive world title.
Vettel has now won five races in a row, the longest winning streak since Schumacher in 2004, and four of the last five grands prix in Japan.
With a 90-point lead over Fernando Alonso and 100 available from the last four races, his coronation is a foregone conclusion, barring an extraordinary turn of events. Vettel has the statistics of a champion, but does not always get due recognition. Critics usually point to his superior car, crafted by Red Bull’s brilliant designer, Adrian Newey.
Talented Gutierrez finally makes his point
Mexican Esteban Gutierrez was a talent waiting to explode and Japanese Grand Prix vindicated Sauber’s faith in him with his first points in Formula One, according to team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.
The first rookie to appear on the scoresheets this season, at the 15th attempt, Gutierrez made his breakthrough with seventh place at Suzuka.
“It is such a big relief because we’ve been seeing how he has been improving over the last few races and he’s had a really rough start into the season,” said Kaltenborn.
“It just takes that little bit more to let something explode or just open up in him,” she added. “And that’s what’s happened now.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.
Sebastian Vettel is used to dominating from the front but a brilliant, come-from-behind victory in Japan silenced the critics and proved it’s not all about his Red Bull car.
The young German has attracted cynicism and even boos this year but if there was any doubt that he belongs among Formula One’s greats, he obliterated it at Suzuka. Vettel was accused of sending fans to sleep with his consecutive wins at Belgium, Italy, Singapore and South Korea, but he had to fight for victory in Japan.
The performance, described as ‘quite supreme’ by his team principal Christian Horner, leaves the 26-year-old all but assured of a fourth successive world title.
Vettel has now won five races in a row, the longest winning streak since Schumacher in 2004, and four of the last five grands prix in Japan.
With a 90-point lead over Fernando Alonso and 100 available from the last four races, his coronation is a foregone conclusion, barring an extraordinary turn of events. Vettel has the statistics of a champion, but does not always get due recognition. Critics usually point to his superior car, crafted by Red Bull’s brilliant designer, Adrian Newey.
Talented Gutierrez finally makes his point
Mexican Esteban Gutierrez was a talent waiting to explode and Japanese Grand Prix vindicated Sauber’s faith in him with his first points in Formula One, according to team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.
The first rookie to appear on the scoresheets this season, at the 15th attempt, Gutierrez made his breakthrough with seventh place at Suzuka.
“It is such a big relief because we’ve been seeing how he has been improving over the last few races and he’s had a really rough start into the season,” said Kaltenborn.
“It just takes that little bit more to let something explode or just open up in him,” she added. “And that’s what’s happened now.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.