Korean Grand Prix
Yeongam (South Korea): Sebastian Vettel stands on the brink of a fourth world title in succession after he powered away from pole position to win a fiery Korean Grand Prix on Sunday.
The unstoppable German, 26, could retain the title in Japan next week if he wins and Ferrari rival Fernando Alonso finishes outside the top eight.
Not even two appearances by the safety car, or the worrying sight of his team-mate Mark Webber climbing out of his burning Red Bull, was enough to stop Vettel’s fourth win on the bounce.
He took the chequered flag 4.224sec ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, who just beat team-mate Romain Grosjean to the line for second.
Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who started second on the grid, were fourth and fifth.
Vettel’s third win on the trot in Korea means he has racked up 272 points, a mammoth 77-point lead over nearest challenger Alonso, who came home sixth at Yeongam.
“I’m loving what I do,” Vettel, booed at previous races because of his dominance, told the crowd from the podium.
“I’m trying not to think about it to be honest,” Vettel told a post-race press conference, flanked by Raikkonen and Grosjean, when told he could win the title next week.
“There are still a lot of points to get even though it looks very good for us. There is a chance for Fernando (Alonso) so we need to stay on top of our game.
“To be honest, as I said on the podium, we are just having a good time.” (AFP)
