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Vettel has a hand on title after Italy win

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (R) and Red Bull Formula One Team Principal Christian Horner celebrate after winning the Italian F1 Grand Prix at Monza circuit, Sept 11, 2011.

MONZA, Italy - Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel had his second successive Formula One world championship almost sealed and delivered after winning the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 24-year-old German, who had started on pole position for the 10th time in 13 races, stretched his overall lead to a mighty 112 points after Australian team mate and closest rival Mark Webber crashed out.

With only 150 points remaining to be won from the last six grands prix, Vettel has now won eight races this season and can clinch the title at the next one in Singapore on Sept 25 if results go his way.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) leads ahead of Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) and Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany during the Italian F1 Grand Prix at the Monza circuit, Sept 11, 2011.

McLaren's Jenson Button finished runner-up for the third season in a row at Monza with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, last year's winner from pole, giving the sea of red-shirted fans something to cheer about with third place at his team's home race.

Vettel, who took his first Formula One win at Monza with Red Bull's Italian-based sister team Toro Rosso on 2008, let all the emotions flood out on his return to the podium. He now has 284 points to double world champion Alonso's 172 and Button's 167.

"When you stand up there you feel so blessed. It doesn't happen to many people," said Vettel who swerved across to the pit wall with one finger raised as he crossed the line.

"This circuit means a lot to me...obviously the first one was very special but to be back here...incredible," he gasped. "I really had a very, very good race car and a fantastic day today.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany reacts on the podium after winning the Italian F1 Grand Prix at Monza circuit, Sept 11, 2011.

"It's the best podium in the world. The only thing that could make it better is probably wearing a red suit."

On a sweltering afternoon in the royal park near Milan, Alonso had the home fans leaping in excitement at the start by seizing the lead, roaring past Vettel with one wheel on the grass, from fourth place on the grid.

The Spaniard held his advantage for the first four laps thanks to the safety car, which had to be deployed immediately after Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi lost control of his HRT, skidding across a corner and slamming into Vitaly Petrov's Renault.

Germany's Nico Rosberg was also caught in the mayhem, retiring his Mercedes on the spot.

Ferrari supporters celebrate the third place of Fernando Alonso of Spain after the Italian F1 Grand Prix at Monza circuit, Sept 11, 2011.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates on the podium after winning the Italian F1 Grand Prix at Monza circuit, Sept 11, 2011.

Second placed McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain (L) and first placed Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrate on the podium after the Italian F1 Grand Prix at Monza circuit, Sept 11, 2011.

(Agencies)

Qatar F1 powerboat team drivers Jay Price (C), Alex Carella (L) and Philippe Chiappe of CTIC China Team celebrate on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix while Alex and Philippe respectively got the second and third place.

Qatar Team driver Jay Price competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

CTIC China team's French driver Philippe Chiappe competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Philippe Chiappe got the third place.

Qatar Team driver Alex Carella competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Alex Carella got the second place.

CTIC China F1 powerboat team's French driver Philippe Chiappe celebrates on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Philippe Chiappe got the third place.

Qatar F1 powerboat team driver Alex Carella celebrates on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Alex Carella got the second place.

Qatar F1 powerboat team driver Jay Price celebrates on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

Qatar F1 powerboat team driver Jay Price celebrates after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

(Xinhua)

Mexican F1 driver Sergio Perez, 21, runs a show circuit in his hometown Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 26 2011. Perez, qualified in the Sauber C30 for the world F1 championship.

Mexican F1 driver Sergio Perez, 21, runs a show circuit in his hometown Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 26 2011. Perez, qualified in the Sauber C30 for the world F1 championship.
(Xinhua)

Sauber Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany walks along the pits after the second practice session of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay circuit September 24, 2010.

LONDON - Renault called up German Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld on Wednesday as a possible replacement for injured Robert Kubica.

The team said in a statement that Heidfeld, who last raced with Sauber in 2010, would join Russian Vitaly Petrov and Brazilian Bruno Senna at the second pre-season test in Jerez, Spain, this week.

Poland's Kubica is in hospital in Italy after suffering serious arm, leg and hand injuries while competing in a minor rally near Genoa last Sunday. He will be out for several months and could miss the entire season.

Senna, nephew of the late triple champion Ayrton, is the official reserve driver but lacks the veteran Heidfeld's experience.

"Vitaly will drive the R31 on Thursday and Friday, as originally scheduled," the Lotus-backed team said.

"For Saturday and Sunday, the team will give mileage to Bruno Senna and will also evaluate Nick Heidfeld, who is a potential replacement for Robert Kubica as a race driver.

"The exact running order for the weekend will be confirmed on Friday evening."

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany makes faces after winning the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi November 14, 2010. Vettel became Formula One's youngest world champion on Sunday by winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany kisses the trophy after winning the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi November 14, 2010. Vettel became Formula One's youngest world champion on Sunday by winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull Formula One driver races at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi November 14, 2010. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel became Formula One's youngest world champion on Sunday by winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
(Reuters)

Williams Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg (R) of Germany celebrates with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel of Germany after they finished first and second respectively in the qualifying session of the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix race at Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, November 6, 2010.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 7 -- With optimal conditions on the race track, Sebastian Vettel won the Brazilian GP of Formula 1 on Sunday at the Interlagos raceway in Sao Paulo. The win puts the German driver from team Red Bull in third place in the standings with only one event left in the season.

Vettel's teammate Mark Webber finished second place, followed by third place Ferrari driver Fernando Alosno. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, followed by teammate Jenson Button. Team Mercedes placed sixth and seventh with Nico Roseberg and Michael Schumacher, respectively.

Starting the race in the pole postion, rookie Nico Hulkenberg, from team Williams, finished eighth, Renault's Robert Kubica finished ninth and Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi rounded out tenth place.

Brazil had four pilots competing in Sunday's GP. Rubens Barrichello, of team Williams, beat out Ferrari's Felipe Massa, placing fourteenth and fifteenth, respectively. Bruno Senna, nefew of legendary pilots Ayrton Senna, finished twenty-first, followed by Lucas Di Grassi in twenty-third place.

As a result of Red Bull's performance on Sunday, the team earned enough points to guarantee their first-ever Constructor’s Title.

With only one race remaining, leader Felipe Alonso must place in second, or better, next week in Abu Dhabi to guarantee his title of this year's World Championship. The title remains an open contest among four pilots. First place Alonso currently has 246 points, trailed by Mark Webber with 238 points, Sebastian Vettle with 231 points and Lewis Hamilton with 222 points.

(Reuters)

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany is congratulated by Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany after winning pole position after the qualifying session at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam October 23, 2010. Vettel won pole position, Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia was second with Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain third fastest.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany gestures after winning the qualifying session on the Korean International Circuit at the Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam, South Korea, Oct. 23, 2010. Yeongam will be host to Korea's first Formula One race on Sunday Oct 24.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany powers around the track during the qualifying session at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam October 23, 2010.
(AFP)

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain adjusts his earpiece in the pits before the first practice session of the Japan F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit October 8, 2010.

Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany sneezes while wearing his helmet in the pits before the first practice session of the Japan F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit October 8, 2010.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany adjusts his mask in the pits before the first practice session of the Japan F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit October 8, 2010.

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain bites an earpiece in the pits before the first practice session of the Japan F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit October 8, 2010.
(Reuters)

Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia celebrates with his trophy on the podium after the Singapore F1 Grand Prix on Sunday. Webber finished third behind Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain, who won the race. Vivek Prakash / Reuters

SINGAPORE - Superlative driving skills, superior strategies and a top-notch reliable car are not all it takes to win the Formula One drivers' championship.

A large slice of luck generally comes into play, and Australia's Mark Webber may just be able to sleep a little easier after his third place in Sunday's dramatic Singapore Grand Prix stretched his lead at the top of the standings to 11 points.

Not only did Webber's pre-race closest rival Lewis Hamilton fail to finish Sunday night's race after a collision between the two, but it later transpired Webber had only survived a similar fate by the merest of whiskers.

"He was very, very lucky. It was just 5mm from slipping off," Bridgestone's director of motorsport tire development Hirohide Hamashima said of Webber's tire following the collision with Hamilton.

"If it had slipped off then the pressure would probably have gone down. So Mark was lucky there, but also with the track too.

"If there were very high-speed left hand corners here, then the tire would have moved a little bit more and then it would have been finished."

Hamashima said he had never seen a tire stay inflated like that before. "Over 25 laps is incredible," he told Autosport.

The Bridgestone expert's opinion was validated by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who admitted his man had been fortunate.

"Mark has ridden his luck because looking at the state of that front right tire it is pretty much off the rim," Horner said. "I have never seen anything like it."

Webber agreed fortune had smiled on him.

"The tires at the end... there was nothing left of them," he said.

Of the collision, Webber said: "Lewis was fractionally ahead, but he's still got to try and make the corner himself. I think he made similar contact to what he made with Felipe in Monza.

"It can happen. I thought my race was over because straight away I had a very big vibration at the front. We managed to dodge a bullet and keep going."

Webber leads the championship with four races to go on 202 points, ahead of Sunday's race winner, Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, on 191.

McLaren's Hamilton lies third on 182, ahead of Webber's Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel one point back and Britain's other McLaren driver and reigning champion Jenson Button on 177.

"(The title battle) is going to ebb and flow a bit more," Webber said. "We know it's a sensational championship for everyone to be watching. All the teams are very even.

"There's a few world champions driving for the other teams and Seb and I haven't won a title yet, so we are very hungry as well. We're all in the game."

The Formula One circuit moves to Suzuka next followed by South Korea, Brazil and the finale in Abu Dhabi in November.

(Reuters)

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain holds the trophy on the podium after the Singapore F1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay circuit September 26, 2010. Alonso won the race.

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain leads the pack in the Singapore F1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay circuit September 26, 2010. Alonso won the race.

Winner Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso (C) of Spain, second-placed Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany and third-placed Red Bull driver Mark Webber (R) of Australia waves after winning the Singapore F1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit September 26, 2010.
(AFP)

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, Aug. 29, 2010.

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, bottom, takes the lead, chased by Renault driver Robert Kubica of Poland, at the start of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, Aug. 29, 2010.

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, Aug. 29, 2010.
(AFP)

Reigning world champion Jenson Button held off teammate Lewis Hamilton to win a traditionally wet Chinese Grand Prix for McLaren on Sunday and see him replace Ferrari's Felipe Massa atop the driver standings.

BEIJING, April 19 -- Reigning world champion Jenson Button held off teammate Lewis Hamilton to win a traditionally wet Chinese Grand Prix for McLaren on Sunday and see him replace Ferrari's Felipe Massa atop the driver standings.

"It is my best victory," said Button, who started from fifth on the grid, one ahead of Hamilton. Button benefited from prudent tire changes as patchy rain played havoc with all the drivers and gave them different conditions to deal with on each lap.

"It wasn't just the luck of calling the weather, we also had the pace," said the British, who joked that he was going to hire a car and race the other F1 drivers back to Europe as a volcanic ice cloud from Iceland continues to throw world air traffic into chaos.

"We still don't know where we are in the dry, but we've proved what we can do in the wet," he added. McLaren, which now leads Ferrari by 19 points in the constructor standings, has found itself playing second-fiddle to the faster Red Bulls and Ferraris this season.

Button beat Hamilton to the checkered flag by the narrowest of margins, or 1.53 seconds. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg claimed the final spot on the podium after seizing an early lead and setting the pace for the first third of the race.

The result pushes Button, who finished third here last year and won two races ago in Melbourne, to the top of the driver standings with 60 points, 10 ahead of Germany's Rosberg. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is one back on 49 with Hamilton, while Red Bull hot rod Sebastian Vettel, who finished sixth, has 45.

The race at Shanghai International Circuit got off to an explosive start - and delivered its seventh winner in as many years.

Fiery Spaniard Alonso stole Vettel's pole position within an eye-blink of the get-go but he was subsequently given the equivalent of a one-lap handicap for his illegal jump-start.

Reigning world champion Jenson Button held off teammate Lewis Hamilton to win a traditionally wet Chinese Grand Prix for McLaren on Sunday and see him replace Ferrari's Felipe Massa atop the driver standings.

Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi then crashed out in spectacular fashion five turns later, taking BMW-Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, the first Japanese driver to race in F1, and Torro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi with him.

Liuzzi's mishap also sent shivers down Button's spine as safety cars cleared up debris from the middle of the track.

"I had my heart in my mouth after that," he said. "It was very, very slippery out there. Every bit of water I touched, I aquaplaned."

Alonso flashed his brilliance by tearing up the grid from 13th to finish fourth and prove that even a drive-through penalty cannot derail his bid for a third world championship.

He said earlier that the weather would decide the results of yesterday's race, but this proved much truer for Vettel, who was expected to claim his second straight win in the city after also triumphing two weeks ago in Malaysia.

The 22-year-old German holds the keys to the hottest rod in F1 right now, but this didn't stop him coming unstuck as drizzle watered the track and forced him into several early tire changes.

Red Bull teammate Mark Webber also gave Vettel's confidence a knock by overtaking him at the first corner - sweet revenge, perhaps, after Vettel did him the same honor at the last race in Sepang.

Rosberg then moved into what looked like an unassailable lead before Button made his move in the 19th lap and refused to relinquish it.

Hamilton, who fell back to 12th earlier in the race, heaped the pressure on Button later on as the laps peeled away and rain lashed the track. The younger man was soon fogging up Button's rear-view mirror after surviving two decisive mid-race battles.

One of these, with Vettel, included a pit-stop tussle that earned him a slap on the wrist but no points deducted after the race. The second was with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, back from a three-year layoff and racing for Mercedes.

"Yes we had a bit of a battle," said Hamilton, who put in another phenomenonal performance after moving up from 20th to sixth during the Sepang race. "It was an eventful race."

Schumacher, who won here in 2006 and holds the lap record, put himself in contention for his first podium finish of 2010 by securing fifth-place in the middle of Sunday's action. He later dropped back to finish 10th.

(China Daily)

Great Britain's Lewis Hamilton of McLaren F1 team answers questions to the media in front of the UK Pavilion in World Expo Park in Shanghai, east China, April 15, 2010. Hamilton is here for the F1 Grand Prix slated on Sunday.

Great Britain's Lewis Hamilton of McLaren F1 team poses in front of the UK Pavilion in World Expo Park in Shanghai, east China, April 15, 2010. Hamilton is here for the F1 Grand Prix slated on Sunday.
(Xinhua)

Fiat Yamaha Team Valentino Rossi of Italy competes during the MotoGP Race final at the 2010 Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, capital of Qatar, April 11, 2010. Valentino Rossi claimed the title with a time of 42 minutes and 50.099 seconds.

Fiat Yamaha Team Valentino Rossi of Italy kisses his trophy on the podium during the awarding ceremony of the MotoGP Race at the 2010 Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, capital of Qatar, April 11, 2010.

Fiat Yamaha Team Valentino Rossi of Italy celebrates with teammate after finishing the MotoGP Race final at the 2010 Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, capital of Qatar, April 11, 2010. Valentino Rossi claimed the title with a time of 42 minutes and 50.099 seconds.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso holds the trophy after winning the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso celebrates after winning the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (L) celebrates with his teammate Felipe Massa after winning the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa (L1), Fernando Alonso (L2), team principal Stefano Domenicali (R2) and Vodafone McLaren's Lewis Hamilton take group photos on the podium after the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (Front) competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.

Mecedes GP's Michael Schumacher competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Red Bull's German driver Sebastian Vettel competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Mecedes GP's Michael Schumacher (Front) competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Mecedes GP's Michael Schumacher competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Mecedes GP's Michael Schumacher (1st L) gets out of his racing car after the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (Front) competes during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010.

Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (R) and his teammate Felipe Massa attend the press conference after the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.

F1 competitors drive during the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama March 14, 2010. Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso won his Ferrari debut with 1h 39m 20.396s.
(Xinhua)

olympic spirit

Vettel has a hand on title after Italy win

Qatar's Price wins team's home Grand Prix at F1 H2O World Champions

Perez runs show circuit in hometown Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico

Renault call up Heidfeld as stand-in

Sebastian Vettel becomes F1's youngest world champion

Vettel wins Formula 1 Grand Prix in Brazil

Red Bull's Vettel wins pole position at F1 Korea Int'l Circuit in Yeongam

Top seed drivers prepare for practice session of Japan F1 GP

Webber rides his luck as he noses toward title

Fernando Alonso wins eventful Singapore GP

Hamilton wins Belgian GP to take F1 lead

Button leads McLaren one-two in Chinese GP

Hamilton meets press in front of UK Pavilion at World Expo

Valentino Rossi claims title at MotoGP Race final

Alonso marks Ferrari debut with F1 Bahrain victory

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