Alonso needs perfection as Vettel sets pace

Fernando Alonso knows nothing less than perfection will guarantee him this season’s Formula One world title.

After the two practice sessions ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso requires some help from somewhere given Sebastian Vettel again took the honours.

In the three races at the Yas Marina circuit, Vettel has never been off the front row, claiming two poles, going on to clinch two wins.

The only blot on his copybook came last year when he suffered a lap-one puncture, but then only after he had sealed back-to-back titles.

Alonso, knowing he cannot concede too much ground in qualifying to Vettel, found himself 0.836secs and six places adrift of the 25-year-old German who is 13 points clear in the standings.

A repeat of that scenario, and barring any further mishap for Vettel, the title race could be all over bar the shouting going into the final two rounds in the United States and Brazil.

“We’ve tried to prepare for this race better than ever,” said Alonso, whose Ferrari is understood to be sporting new rear-wing elements.

“We don’t think we will close the gap completely to Red Bull, not from what happened in India (last weekend), in a matter of days.

“There is no magic button or magic part in Formula One, but we will try to get closer, to put some more pressure on them.

“They’ve had four very easy races lately.”

At this point it appears the two-horse race will likely conclude in Austin when F1 makes its long-awaited return to America after a five -year absence.

Cuttingly, Vettel has cited McLaren duo Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button as his closest rivals this weekend, with Alonso not getting a mention.

Hamilton was 0.168secs adrift, with Button – who has finished third every year of this event – a further half a second back such was the chasm between the top two and the rest of the field.