‘Red-hot’ Vettel dazzles in Korean GP
15 Oct 2012 7:58 AM IST
Sebastian Vettel leapfrogged Fernando Alonso at the top of the world championship on Sunday 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 team-mate 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 seven days ago, continued his resurgence with a fourth-placed finish. Lewis Hamilton, who still had title aspirations going in this grand prix, finished down in 10th.
Fifth was Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, followed by Nico Hulkenberg in a Force India. Romain Grosjean [Lotus], Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniel Ricciardo [both Toro Rosso] and Hamilton rounded out the top 10.
Vettel, who started second on the grid behind Webber, nipped in front of his team-mate at the first corner. Behind them Alonso and Hamilton duelled over third place, with the Spaniard winning through.
Jenson Button’s bad weekend finished almost as soon as the race began. His fine start from lowly 11th was wrecked when Kamui Kobayashi came flying down the inside, smashing into Button and destroying his suspension.
‘I’ve just been hit by Kobayashi. What an idiot!’ the McLaren driver and 2009 world champion exclaimed over the team radio.
Vettel, the man in form after victories at the last two races in Singapore and then Japan last week, was in firm command. Webber intentionally or not was a buffer between the leader and the chasing pack.
The Red Bull duo were exchanging fastest laps in front of a good crowd the last two races at Yeongam have failed to attract spectators – while an improving Felippe Massa from Brazil shoved a struggling Lewis Hamilton further down the field.
HULKENBERG GETS 8 POINTS FOR FORCE INDIA
Nico Hulkenberg earned eight points for Sahara Force India with a sixth place finish while Paul Di Resta finished 12th in the Korean Grand Prix.
The result helped Force India reduce the gap with close rival and sixth-placed Sauber to 27 points as the none of the Swiss team’s driver finished inside top-10.
Sergio Perez was 11th while Kamuyi Kobayasahi retired after an accident.
With four races to go and home Grand Prix next in India, Force India would look to continue the good show at home.
‘That race was a lot of fun and it’s great to get such a mega result. It wasn?t easy though, and for most of the race I had the Lotus of Romain [Grosjean] pushing me and some great battles,’ Hulkenberg said.
‘I think the best moment of the race was the fight with Lewis [Hamilton] and Romain in the final stint when I got ahead of both of them in turn four. That certainly put a big smile on my face. So a very positive day, an amazing job by the whole team and lots of positives to take,’ he said.
HULKENBERG TO JOIN SAUBER-FERRARI IN 2013
Sahara Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg will be driving for Sauber in the 2013 Formula One season, BBC reported on Sunday.
The report said Mexican Esteban Gutierrez will be Hulkenberg’s teammate next year, leaving Kamui Kobayashi without a seat.
‘Sauber have not yet officially confirmed Hulkenberg but the deal is understood already to be done,’ said the report. Asked abot his future, Hulkenberg said ‘I really enjoy this team [Force India], I know everybody really well and I enjoy working with the guys. My focus is on 2012.’
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 team-mate 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 seven days ago, continued his resurgence with a fourth-placed finish. Lewis Hamilton, who still had title aspirations going in this grand prix, finished down in 10th.
Fifth was Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, followed by Nico Hulkenberg in a Force India. Romain Grosjean [Lotus], Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniel Ricciardo [both Toro Rosso] and Hamilton rounded out the top 10.
Vettel, who started second on the grid behind Webber, nipped in front of his team-mate at the first corner. Behind them Alonso and Hamilton duelled over third place, with the Spaniard winning through.
Jenson Button’s bad weekend finished almost as soon as the race began. His fine start from lowly 11th was wrecked when Kamui Kobayashi came flying down the inside, smashing into Button and destroying his suspension.
‘I’ve just been hit by Kobayashi. What an idiot!’ the McLaren driver and 2009 world champion exclaimed over the team radio.
Vettel, the man in form after victories at the last two races in Singapore and then Japan last week, was in firm command. Webber intentionally or not was a buffer between the leader and the chasing pack.
The Red Bull duo were exchanging fastest laps in front of a good crowd the last two races at Yeongam have failed to attract spectators – while an improving Felippe Massa from Brazil shoved a struggling Lewis Hamilton further down the field.
HULKENBERG GETS 8 POINTS FOR FORCE INDIA
Nico Hulkenberg earned eight points for Sahara Force India with a sixth place finish while Paul Di Resta finished 12th in the Korean Grand Prix.
The result helped Force India reduce the gap with close rival and sixth-placed Sauber to 27 points as the none of the Swiss team’s driver finished inside top-10.
Sergio Perez was 11th while Kamuyi Kobayasahi retired after an accident.
With four races to go and home Grand Prix next in India, Force India would look to continue the good show at home.
‘That race was a lot of fun and it’s great to get such a mega result. It wasn?t easy though, and for most of the race I had the Lotus of Romain [Grosjean] pushing me and some great battles,’ Hulkenberg said.
‘I think the best moment of the race was the fight with Lewis [Hamilton] and Romain in the final stint when I got ahead of both of them in turn four. That certainly put a big smile on my face. So a very positive day, an amazing job by the whole team and lots of positives to take,’ he said.
HULKENBERG TO JOIN SAUBER-FERRARI IN 2013
Sahara Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg will be driving for Sauber in the 2013 Formula One season, BBC reported on Sunday.
The report said Mexican Esteban Gutierrez will be Hulkenberg’s teammate next year, leaving Kamui Kobayashi without a seat.
‘Sauber have not yet officially confirmed Hulkenberg but the deal is understood already to be done,’ said the report. Asked abot his future, Hulkenberg said ‘I really enjoy this team [Force India], I know everybody really well and I enjoy working with the guys. My focus is on 2012.’
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