Dominant Vettel on verge of title

SEBASTIAN VETTEL stands on the brink of making further Formula One history by becoming the youngest driver to win back-to-back titles after his brilliant victory at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix yesterday.

Vettel chalked up his eighth win of a thoroughly dominant campaign by taking the chequered flag in Italy yesterday to further increase a lead that is almost unassailable.

Jenson Button (McLaren) finished second and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) was third.

Vettel shed a few tears on the podium such was his depth of emotion and in particular with the sea of fans underneath creating stunning scenes after the finish at Monza.

Following the 18th win of his career, and his second at Monza after winning with Toro Rosso in 2008, he said: “Yes, very emotional.

“This circuit is very special, and when I crossed the line I remembered every single bit of my last win and the podium is incredible.

“You feel so blessed with so many people underneath. It’s unbelievable.

“It’s a circuit that has been tough for us in the past, but the car was great in qualifying and even better in the race.

“So a great race for us, a very special win. Last time the Italian people were cheering a bit more, but it was still very special for me to be in that place again.”

Button hailed his race a “fun” one, adding: “It was great fighting with Lewis (Hamilton), Michael (Schumacher) and then Fernando (Alonso).

“It wasn’t for the lead, though, after what was a tough start to the race, but a lot of fun, and with the crowd here electric. It was a great job by the whole team, but there are still things we need to work on.”

Alonso, meanwhile, felt his third was great reward for Ferrari and the fans who cheered him to the rafters when he received his trophy at the podium ceremony.

“It was a fantastic race today and a fantastic feeling on the podium,” said Alonso.

“It’s so passionate, with the fans giving you big emotion after what has been a very stressful weekend for the whole team.

“And with one Red Bull and one McLaren behind us, that was great for us.”

With six races remaining and 150 points up for grabs, 24-year-old German Vettel is now is 112 points clear of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

McLaren’s Jenson Button and Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber are now 117 points adrift, whilst Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren is 126 behind.

Hamilton was forced to settle for fourth yesterday, spending half the race stuck behind Schumacher, unable to find a way past the seven-times champion.

Frustration surfaced for the 26-year-old on a couple of occasions as he complained to his team over the in-car radio that he felt Schumacher defended his line by weaving on more than one occasion.

Vettel could capture his second crown as early as the next race in Singapore.

* Vettel has to be on the podium at the Marina Bay Street Circuit to have a chance of taking the title, and only once this season has he not finished in the top three.

* If he is fourth or lower, the title race moves onto Japan, no matter what happens to any of his four rivals. At best, with 12 points for fourth, he would be 124 points ahead.

* If Vettel wins, to take the title Alonso has to finish fourth or lower, with Button and Webber third or lower.

* If Vettel is second, Alonso has to finish eighth or lower, with Button and Webber fifth or lower. Hamilton must not win.

* If Vettel is third, Alonso has to finish ninth or lower, Button and Webber seventh or lower. Hamilton must not finish in the top two.