Sebastian Vettel wins 2012 Indian GP

It’s quite a simple post-race report for the 2012 Indian Grand Prix tonight, really. Sebastian Vettel made a clean start, having to cover his Red Bull teammate, Mark Webber, into the first corner before driving off into the sunset collecting his fourth race win in succession.

There was a minor issue for Vettel inside the final 10 laps when his floor rubbed along the ground for a few brief moments, but ultimately it came to nothing.

Ferrari, mindful of having to make up places for Alonso from his P5 grid position, geared their man for straight line speed. And it was a very effective ply; the dual world champ able to despatch the two McLarens early on. Although he did have to wait for a failing KERS unit on Mark Webber’s car before being able to claim second place for his own on lap 48 of 60.

Webber was able to hang on and deny a fast charging Lewis Hamilton to earn himself the final step on the podium. Hamilton, then, finished in P4 ahead of McLaren teammate, Jenson Button, and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

Young Aussie Daniel Ricciardo came home in P13, two places ahead of his Toro Rosso teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne. The result for Ricciardo was made easier after Vergne and Schumacher came to blows on the opening lap. It was only minor contact, but enough to give Schumi a puncture and Vergne needing to pit for a new front wing.

Schumacher was called into the garage early by his team, but was a classified as a finisher, albeit five laps off the pace. He will be investigated by stewards for ignoring blue flags as well. The general malaise of Schumacher’s late season form has gone beyond amusement or embarrassment now. It’s just sad to watch.

There’s only three races to go now and while the title is not safe for Vettel yet, you’d reckon only something extraordinary will prevent the young German etching his name into the record books as the sport’s youngest ever triple world champion. Indeed, such is Vettel’s current dominance he has led every lap, unbroken, for the last three grands prix.

Good luck Fernando, you’re going to need it!

2012 Korean Grand Prix final placings

1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) – 25pts
2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) +9.4 secs – 18pts
3. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) +13.2 secs – 15pts
4. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) +13.9 secs – 12pts
5. Jenson Button (McLaren) +26.2 secs – 10pts
6. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) +44.6 secs – 8pts
7. Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus) +45.2 secs – 6pts
8. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) +54.9 secs – 4pts
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) +56.1 secs – 2pts
10. Bruno Senna (Williams) +74.9 secs – 1pt
11. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG) +81.6 secs
12. Paul di Resta (Force India) +82.8 secs
13. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) +86.0 secs
14. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) +86.4 secs
15. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) +1 Lap
16. Pastor Maldonado (Williams) +1 Lap
17. Vitaly Petrov Caterham) +1 Lap
18. Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham) +1 Lap
19. Charles Pic (Marussia) +1 Lap
20. Timo Glock (Marussia) +2 Laps
21. Narain Karthikeyan (HRT) +2 Laps
22. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes AMG) +5 Laps

Retired/not classified

Pedro de la Rosa (HRT) Lap 42
Sergio Perez (Sauber) Lap 20

Fastest lap: Jenson Button (McLaren), 1:28.203 – Lap 60

2012 World Championship top 10 (Drivers) – Round 17

1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) – 240
2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) – 227
3. Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus) – 173
4. Mark Webber (Red Bull) – 167
5. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) – 165
6. Jenson Button (McLaren) – 141
7. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG) – 93
8. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) – 90
9. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) – 89
10. Sergio Perez (Sauber) – 66

2012 World Championship (Constructors) – Round 17

1. Red Bull Racing-Renault – 407
2. Ferrari – 316
3. McLaren-Mercedes – 306
4. Lotus-Renault – 263
5. Mercedes AMG – 136
6. Sauber-Ferrari – 116
7. Force India-Mercedes – 93
8. Williams-Renault – 59
9. STR-Ferrari – 21