As the title race for the2012 Formula One season has almost turned into a clash betweenSebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, separated by just sixpoints, the two drivers would look to strengthen theirpositions when they hit the track at the Indian Grand Prixhere on Sunday.
A hat-trick of victories -- at Singapore, Japan and Korea-- has catapulted the defending champion Vettel to the top ofthe drivers' table with 215 points, reviving his aspirationsfor his third straight title.
Red Bull's Vettel got back his pace and rhythm after thesummer break and has opened up a narrow lead over Ferrari'sAlonso, who has been the most consistent driver of the season.
Had it not been for retirements in Belgium and Japan,Alonso could have been placed in a much better position. Withnine podium finishes, including three victories, Alonso hasalways looked a force to beat this season.
With just four races to go, a good result at the BuddhInternational Circuit on Sunday would do a world of good toboth Vettel and Alonso and further spice up the title race.
Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen is third with 167 points,followed by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton (153) and Mark Webber(152) in the second Red Bull.
Unlike the last year, the championship is still alive atthis stage of the season, which threw seven different winnersin the first seven races, including a surprise PastorMaldonado of Williams.
Vettel, who won the inaugural Indian GP, is on the cuspof a historic hat-trick of Formula One world titles. TheGerman has a chance to become F1's youngest treble champion.
He would join Michael Schumacher and the legendary JuanManuel Fangio if he claims his third straight world title atthe age of just 25.
