Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives on his way to winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on October 13 in Suzuka, Japan. Photos: CFP

Vettel

Sebastian Vettel has pledged to keep pushing until the very end as he aims to secure an amazing fourth straight drivers' and constructors'­ title double at this week's Indian Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old Red Bull ace, who enjoys a 90-point lead over his nearest challenger Fernando Alonso, needs only to finish among the top five on Sunday to wrap up the drivers' championship.­

While Vettel would become the youngest man to win four in a row, with Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher the only others to do it, the constructors' title is also significant.­

Obvious advantage

With a whopping 148-point lead, Red Bull only have to maintain a 129-point gap to seal their fourth consecutive team championship, the best run since Ferrari dominated the last decade.

Vettel is on the best run of his career after winning the last five grand prix, and he also triumphed at the Buddh International Circuit on New Delhi's outskirts in 2011 and 2012.

But despite his unstoppable form, the young German is not taking anything for granted.

"It looks very good at this stage, but it's not over before it's over," said Vettel. "We obviously have a very, very good gap but we will still keep pushing."­

History will also spur the determined Vettel as victories in India, Abu Dhabi, America and the year's finale in Brazil would make him the first man to win nine straight races in a season.

He would also equal Schumacher's 2004 record of 13 victories in one year. Italy's Alberto Ascari won nine straight for Ferrari, but his feat was spread over two seasons in 1952 and 1953.

Vettel's absolute dominance may have earned him unsporting boos and taken the suspense out of F1 this season­, but his coronation could be good news for India.

With the Indian­ Grand Prix missing­ from next season's schedule, a world title win could bring extra crowds and excitement and help ensure­ it returns in 2015.

"It is great news for India that the coronation of Vettel will take place here," said India's first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan.

"This is one more reason for the fans to come to the circuit."

Rivals concede

While Vettel's winning streak owes much to his Red Bull car, he has showed tenacity and guile, and when needed, blistering pace, to maintain his iron grip on the title.

The only way Vettel can be denied is if he fails to win a point in the remaining four races, and provided Ferrari's Alonso wins at least three of them and finishes second in the other.

However, the Spaniard, a two-time champion in 2005 and 2006 when driving a Renault, is under no illusion­ that he can engineer a dramatic turnaround.

Asked after the last race in Japan, if the fight was still on, Alonso said "I don't think so. We will keep doing the best possible, but it's a matter of time."

Lewis Hamilton, fourth in the standings behind Kimi Raikkonen­ and out of the reckoning­ this season, said he was willing to bet that Vettel would win the last four races.

"I am willing to put money on it," said Hamilton. "Why not? He's just walking to it."

Vettel said he looked forward to racing­ at the Buddh circuit again, watched by an estimated crowd of around 50,000.

"So far everything has always gone perfectly for us in India," he said. "There is also a very nice trophy at the end of the race, so it would be great to hold one again this year.

"It is not an easy track, because of a few complicated rhythm-breakers that are in there. So to drive a perfect lap around the Buddh circuit you need a good driving instinct."

Behind Vettel and Red Bull, the battle for second place in the constructors' championship is more competitive with Mercedes 10 points behind second-placed Ferrari, and Lotus a further 23 points back.

Strong start

On Friday, Vettel obliterated his own lap record as he topped both Indian Grand Prix free practice sessions.

He showed ominous intent by lapping­ at 1 minute and 26.68 seconds in the first practice and improved with 1:25.72 in the second, surpassing his own record of 1:27.24 set at the inaugural­ race at the Buddh International­ Circuit in 2011.

Vettel's Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, who will leave F1 at the end of the season, made it a one-two for Red Bull in both sessions. His best time of the day was 1:26.01.

AFP - Global Times