Vettel nearer F1 title after India win
Defending world champion cruises from pole to chequered flag, extending lead over Alonso
Sebastian Vettel moved within sight of becoming the youngest triple world champion in Formula One history yesterday when he cruised to his fourth consecutive victory with an outstanding, dominant triumph in the Indian Grand Prix.
The 25-year-old German, winner of the title in 2010 and 2011, delivered the 26th win of his career in utterly convincing fashion, leading the 60-lap race from start to finish in his Red Bull car.
His triumph enlarged his lead in the drivers' championship from six points to 13 with three races remaining - in Abu Dhabi this week, then the United States and the season finale in Brazil on November 28.
On a day of heat and dust at the shimmering, state-of-the-art Buddh International Circuit, Vettel overcame not only the determination of nearest rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, but also a threatening technical issue in the closing stages when parts of the floor of his car scraped along the circuit.
This contact, in parts of the track, raised sparks both literally and metaphorically as rival teams considered the condition of the Red Bull car and any possible contravention of strict technical rules.
Alonso, with superior straight-line speed in his Ferrari, was unable to do better than climb from fifth on the grid to second and finished 9.4 seconds behind Vettel.
After an exultant celebration on the victory podium, in front of many of the 65,000 spectators, he said: "It has been incredible. To come here both years, get the pole and win the race is fantastic.
