It’s not over before it’s over: Vettel

Red Bull driver not taking Indian Grand Prix win for granted .

GREATER NOIDA: Sebastian Vettel has pledged to keep pushing until the very end as he aims to secure an amazing fourth straight drivers’ and constructors’ title double at this week’s Indian Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old Red Bull ace, who enjoys a 90-point lead over his nearest challenger Fernando Alonso, needs only to finish among the top five on Sunday to wrap up the drivers’ championship.

While Vettel would become the youngest man to win four in a row – with Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher the only others to do it – the constructors’ title is also significant.



With a whopping 148-point lead, Red Bull only have to maintain a 129-point gap to seal their fourth consecutive team championship, the best run since Ferrari dominated the last decade.

Vettel is on the best run of his career after winning the last five grands prix, and he also triumphed at the Buddh International Circuit on New Delhi’s outskirts in 2011 and 2012.

‘We will still keep pushing’

Despite Vettel’s unstoppable form, the young German is not taking anything for granted.

“It looks very good at this stage, but it’s not over before it’s over,” said Vettel. “We obviously have a very, very good gap but we will still keep pushing.”

With the Indian Grand Prix missing from next season’s schedule, a world title win could bring extra crowds and excitement and help ensure it returns in 2015.

“It is great news for India that the coronation of Vettel will take place here,” said India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan. “It is one more reason for fans to come to the circuit.”

The only way Vettel can be denied is if he fails to win a point in the remaining four races — provided Ferrari’s Alonso wins at least three of them and finishes second in the other.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2013.

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