Korean Grand Prix win puts Sebastian Vettel on top of world championship

A peerless Sebastian Vettel leapfrogged Fernando Alonso at the top of the world championship yesterday as the Red Bull driver led from the first corner to win the Korean Grand Prix.

With four races to go starting in India in two weeks, Vettel, the reigning champion who is chasing a third drivers' title in a row, sits atop the standings with 215 points. Alonso, who finished third, is on 209.

It was the 25-year-old German's third win in three races and he will now be favourite to retain his crown, in what had been a highly unpredictable season until he took the championship by the scruff of the neck.

Second at a cool but sunny Yeongam was Vettel's teammate Mark Webber, who started on pole. It was the first Red Bull one-two of the season.

Alonso's fellow Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa, second at Suzuka eight days ago, continued his resurgence with a fourth-placed finish. Lewis Hamilton, who still had title aspirations going into this grand prix, finished 10th.

It now looks increasingly like a two-horse race for the title. Hamilton and his McLaren teammate Jenson Button, who was shunted out moments after the start of the race, admitted they were out of contention.