Alonso Head Games Fall On Deaf Ears

November 7th, 2012 (F1plus / Ernie Black).- There seems little Alonso can do now to stop the charging Bull of Sebastian Vettel from stomping away with this season's title. Even Alonso's little head games have had little effect on the young German. By now I'm certain you've read several articles over the last week or two about Alonso making comments that he and Ferrari are battling Newey and not necessarily Vettel.

After the Abu-Dhabi grand prix, one would have to agree that together, Red Bull, Newey and Vettel are a formidable combination. Regardless of whether or not the events of the race assisted Vettel in gaining positions, his drive from pit lane to podium was nothing short of inspiring.

In a way, I agree with Alonso. It's not just Ferrari or Alonso who is battling Newey, it's the whole field. I believe Vettel is able to get more out of the car at this point in the season than Webber. I also believe that any driver in the field could climb into the RB8 and be competitive though. Alonso is flat-out out-driving Vettel and has been all season.

Before I get another email accusing me of being an Alonso fan. I'm not the only person who considers Alonso to be the better driver this year. Just take a walk through the paddock and ask yourself.

Ferrari have struggled to really find its form since the start of the season. For one reason or another, Alonso has found a way to consistently stay in the points barring two incidents beyond his control.

Unfortunately for Alonso, Vettel may hear the Spaniard's Newey comments but he's not listening. Any attempt to unsettle the German have fallen on deaf ears. After the last race, Vettel and Red Bull must be overflowing with confidence.

Alonso remained publicly defiant that he will win this championship up until Abu-Dhabi. While content with his second place finish and agreeing that he achieved the maximum, there were comments made by the Spaniard that leads us to believe that doubt and reality are beginning to set in.

If you happened to watch the end of GP when the top three finishers were waiting to go out onto the podium, you might have noticed Alonso's body language. While Vettel and Kimi chatted it up, Alonso sat pensive on his own collecting his thoughts and coming to grips with reality. The reality that this title has all but slipped away from him.

Hats off to Newey who has given the RB8 its Red Bull wings and to Vettel for making it fly.