Formula 1 News

Vettel not worried about Alonso

The German could become the youngest three-time champion if able to keep the 13-point lead over Alonso.
Saturday, November 24, 2012

SAO PAULO, Nov 24, 2012 (AFP) - Sebastian Vettel qualified fourth for Sunday's showdown Brazilian Grand Prix and then said he was less concerned with title rival Fernando Alonso than his own performance.

The 25-year-old German defending champion said he was figuring out where he had lost time in Q3 for Sunday's race and was not concerned at being four places ahead of the Ferrari-driving Spaniard.

Asked if the championship situation was the biggest thing on his mind, Vettel replied: "Not too much. I've just come out of qualifying knowing I could have done a little bit better.

"I'm keen to go back now and look at the data and see where I wasn't quick enough. The first run in Q3 was not good for me as I did a mistake going into Turn Four. The second run I was pretty happy with it but it wasn't quick enough."

He added: "Obviously Mark (Webber, who placed third) was a bit quicker, but I think we are in good shape and we've been competitive all weekend."

Alonso's Ferrari team-mate Brazilian Felipe Massa starts just one place behind Vettel in fifth, but Massa insisted this did not bother him in the slightest.

He said: "There are always going to be cars around you. "It would be boring if it were just me on the grid. I think that's pretty
normal.

"We have mirrors on the car -- but we try not to use them too much."

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May 26
Monaco

F1 Standings

Drivers
Teams
1 Sebastian Vettel 89
2 Kimi Räikkönen 85
3 Fernando Alonso 72
4 Lewis Hamilton 50
5 Felipe Massa 45
6 Mark Webber 42
1 Red Bull Racing 131
2 Ferrari 117
3 Lotus F1 Team 111
4 Mercedes 72
5 Sahara Force India 32
6 McLaren 29

View complete standings table »

Last F1 Race

Spanish Grand Prix
Barcelona, Circuit de Catalunya
1
Fernando Alonso
Ferrari
2
Kimi Räikkönen
Lotus F1 Team
3
Felipe Massa
Ferrari
Fastest Lap

Esteban Gutiérrez
1'26.217s

Pole Position

Nico Rosberg

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