F1 world title set for thrilling climax

FERRARI team principal Stefano Domenicali believes this season’s Formula One world title could yet be decided “in the last metre.”

Fernando Alonso still has a third championship in his sights going into Sunday’s decider in Abu Dhabi, although he faces a two-pronged assault from Red Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

Alonso is currently eight points clear of Webber and 15 ahead of Vettel, and although there are various permutations as to how it could all unfold, the task for the Spaniard is simple – win or finish second and he will be crowned champion.

“We said the drivers’ title would go down to the final race and we will now arrive in Abu Dhabi with Fernando currently heading the classification,” said Domenicali.

“We now face a crucial week. We know what we have to do and we will prepare everything with maximum attention to detail.

“Each one of us knows we have to give 100% at our specific tasks, and maybe even a little bit more.

“But it’s great we are going to Abu Dhabi to fight with Red Bull for the title, and we don’t have to make a very difficult calculation.

“We know if we are in the middle of the two Red Bulls, it’s fine.

“We need to make sure we are fast, that we do a perfect qualifying which is very important, fundamental.

“Then in the race we will need to wait up to the last metre because reliability is a big point and everyone will be worried about not only engines, but everything.”

Another concern that Domenicali is aware of is that both Red Bulls are still in the hunt for the championship, and in particular they may yet work in tandem to deny Alonso.

There is the prospect that if Vettel cannot win the title, then he could assist Webber, a possibility hinted at by the young German following his Brazilian Grand Prix victory yesterday.

Expressing his concerns, Domenicali added: “It’s a problem because there are two Red Bulls instead of one.

“They’re in a better position, but we know we need to look inside, we don’t need to look at what the others will do.

“We simply need to do the fastest qualifying, the best race, the fastest race.

“Of course, we will try to win because if we do that then it’s easy and there are no calculations.

“But we know the Red Bull is very strong, and they deserve their victory in the constructors’ championship.

“So whoever wins the title, they will deserve it that’s for sure.”