Battle lines drawn: Defending champion Vettel is not taking anything for granted

PUBLISHED: 16:57 EST, 25 October 2012 | UPDATED: 18:07 EST, 25 October 2012

Sebastian Vettel has become the most soughtafter name in present-day Formula One, and so it was at the Buddh International Circuit here on Thursday.

Sunday's Indian Grand Prix is being billed as a one-two fight between Vettel and Fernando Alonso, who are separated by six points in the drivers' standings.

But Vettel stressed repeatedly that nothing was so predictable. Speaking about how the championship has panned out this year, Vettel admitted this is a good position to be in.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Fernando Alonso, pictured right

"Yes, it is a better position to be in with four races to go. We try to do our best and nothing changes for us," Vettel said.

One thing was clear from Vettel's interaction - he is not going to be distracted in any way this weekend.

"It doesn't matter what the position is in the championship. It's most important we get off the line and get a good start. I am focused," the German said.

Red Bull-Renault driver Mark Webber of Australia poses in a tractor at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi

Last year, midway through the season, it was nearly certain that Vettel would emerge the champion.

This time, there has been a topsy-turvy phase with the start of the championship throwing up seven different winners.

It's only when Red Bull Racing started working on their package and the car got quicker that Vettel could start dominating in his own style.

And winning the last three races mean from rank outsider, he is suddenly the favourite to be champion for a third time. Explaining the year gone by, Vettel said it's not always possible to be perfect.

"You always try to do your best. You want a competitive car all the time. As you have so many races, not all races are perfect. We have been consistent even if it has been tough at times. It's part of life and part of the season. We have improved our car in the last four races," he said.

"It helps to have more and more races, but it doesn't mean that you will never make a mistake again. We still have to make mistakes, I've made mistakes this year, but the most important thing is I don't do them more than once!"

Vettel had won the inaugural Indian GP last year, and has fond memories of the Buddh circuit.

"I would say this track is similar (to Korea) in terms of layout, and it's very fast. However, I look at it as a new challenge in India again," said Vettel.

"It was very special (last year) and hopefully we can have a similar result," said Vettel. As regards this weekend, with free practice starting on Friday, Vettel said it was not too good to think too much.

People have been talking of various possibilities but Vettel has a different take. "I don't like to think about scenarios. There is a lot to be done," felt Vettel.

Alonso's approach to remain same

By Shreyas Sharma

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain addresses an audience during an event organised by UNICEF

Up until the previous Grand Prix in Korea, Fernando Alonso was leading the world championship, before slipping behind Red Bull rival Sebastian Vettel.

But the Spaniard has no plans to change his tactics for the last four races of the season, starting with Sunday's Indian Grand Prix.

"Our performance may have been up and down, but our approach towards a race is the same, there is no difference.

We were leading the championship till the last race in Korea, thanks mainly to our consistency. We had 16 perfect races and we just need another four perfect races.

If we can have that, I think we will be very close to winning the championship," Alonso said at the Buddh International Circuit here on Thursday.

"As for my motivation, it is better than ever and not just me, the whole team is very motivated, everyone in the team wants this championship."

Alonso's Ferrari hasn't really been the best car on display all season, but he has wrung every last drop of performance out of it, and is banking on the package to pull him through to his third title.

"There is every possibility to push for the title. We are in a position to fight for both (driver's and constructors') championships.

It will be a battle of the packages. Everyone will have their strong points and weak areas. At the moment, Red Bull may have the fastest cars, especially on qualifying days, but we will try to use our strong points," he said.

Alonso has been a victim of race-ending crashes in Belgium and Japan, and admitted Ferrari need to qualify better.

"It all depends on the position from which you start. If you start from pole, you avoid 99 per cent of the crashes, so we need to improve our Saturday pace and start at the front to avoid these incidents," he said.

"But there is no specific action one can take to avoid first lap accidents. We have always been very calm, not taking many risks and the retirements were completely out of our hands -- it happened to us, but it can happen to the others as well. Usually, over the course of a season, everything balances out."

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That the Buddh circuit is the venue for the first of these final four duels seems to please Alonso, since he loves the circuit.

"The track is one of the most challenging, especially the first sector. It has very high speed corners.

Tomorrow it may not be that good because it did not host many races after last year's Grand Prix. But I think it will be at its best on Saturday and Sunday," he said.