F1: Vettel can win but Alonso is so good

Paris: Sebastian Vettel’s dominating win from the pole at Suzuka made him the first driver this season to record back-to-back victories, and he joined Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton as the only drivers to win three times this season.

It’s been that kind of topsy-turvy season. Anyone and everyone had a chance early on.

Alonso had a 40 points lead over Red Bull’s Mark Webber in the championship with eight races remaining after Spa. Then he crashed at Belgium and another crash at Suzuka has seen the lead come down to just 4 points. Webber has stayed stagnant but Vettel has worked his way into second place.

It’s an all-out battle. Former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi feels defending world champion Sebastian Vettel can win his third title in a row this year. “He won the last race and has been really quick. I believe he can win the championship,” Buemi said in an interview.

Buemi, who is now the reserve driver at Red Bull Racing, however feels that the pick of the drivers so far has been Fernando Alonso. “Alonso has done a fantastic job even though his car wasn’t so great. He has been consistent throughout the year,” Buemi remarked.

Buemi feels it is difficult to make any predictions because of the tyre behaviour. “Some drivers are strong at some races and not at others. It is really difficult to understand the tyres. However, at the same time, it is good for the championship as it stays open. The way the championship has unfolded this year isn’t on expected lines,” he said.

About switching from a driver’s role last year to that of a reserve driver in 2012, Buemi said that it had been a good experience. “Earlier, I was a part of a small team. Now, I am in a world championship winning team. There is a big difference in terms of the structure, attending briefings etc. I am enjoying the experience,” he said.

Buemi however said that he would have loved to be a part of such an exciting championship. “It’s a shame that I am not racing this year. It is difficult to live with it but that’s part of motorsport. I am definitely working hard to be back in F1 as soon as possible,” he said.