Formula One is heading to Singapore this week as it begins its ever expanding fly-away finish to the season. The race is one of six left on the calendar that stretches all the way to Brazil at the end of November.
Amazingly, with so much of the season to go, Sebastian Vettel could wrap up the drivers' title on Sunday night. It is a mark of his superiority as a driver, and Red Bull as a team that this is a possibility. His second title is a matter of when rather than if and with the German promising not to coast through the rest of the season it won't take long.
The last European race of the season, in Italy, extinguished any lingering hopes McLaren (and possibly Ferrari) had of upsetting the odds. There was a brief moment of joy for the home Ferrari fans in Monza when Fernando Alonso managed to exit the first corner in the lead. Forget the fans in the stands, the marshals at their posts were jumping up and down.
Of course it didn't last, and Vettel was soon disappearing into the distance.
The truth of the matter is that Vettel is a true racer at the top of his game. He may have the best car, but you have to drive it near perfectly to be as far ahead in the championship.
His first title last year was a battle, but it has liberated him this season. While others have made mistakes, or been hamstrung by their cars he has made it look easy, which is perhaps the most difficult thing of all.
