Vettel dominates in India
2012-10-26 13:54
VETTEL TAKES CHARGE: Sebastian Vettel could be in line for his fourth win of the 2012 season at the Indian Grand Prix.
GREATER NOIDA, India - Defending World champion Sebastian Vettel topped both practice sessions for the 2012 Indian F1 GP as he chases his fourth win in a row and a historic third consecutive Drivers' title.
The Red Bull driver, 25, who seized the championship lead from the previous race in South Korea and is seeking to become F1's youngest triple champion, scorched a fastest lap of 1min26.221 in the second session to finish ahead of Australian team mate Mark Webber with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, the long-time championship leader now supplanted by Vettel.
SIX-POINT LEAD
Nico Rosberg was fourth in the leading Mercedes ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus and the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
Nico Hulkenberg was eighth for Force India ahead of Romain Grosjean in the second Lotus and Brazilian Bruno Senna for Williams.
On a bright, dry day with the temperature at 28C, the conditions were near-perfect as Vettel continued his irresistible form in Asia by topping the first session from Button and staying ahead of the pack in the second. Wins in Singapore, Japan and South Korea have lifted him to a six-point lead in the standings but with strong momentum and growing belief that he can seal the deal.
Alonso and Hamilton, the latter leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, also impressed with heavy fuel loads but there is widespread sentiment that Red Bull is back in the groove that brought them title doubles in 2010 and 2011.
Second practice times
First practice times
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