JOIN USThe pre-race press conference at the Buddh International Circuit was peppered with questions revolving around Sebastian Vettel. What is interesting is that the soon-to-be four-time World Champion was not even present for the interaction.
Vettel, who has won the Indian Grand Prix from start to finish on the two previous occasions, is the man to beat on race day. Chances arenot one of his opponents will get a chance to do so. Even so, they refrained from accepting defeat at the hands of the 26-year-old.
“Well, that is what I am here to do,” said Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg when asked if and how one could stop the German in India. “The last couple of races have not been good for us but I have a very good car. The Red Bull is a lot quicker than us but you never know. If we get everything right over the weekend, I think we can beat Sebastian and Mark (Webber), and that is what I am here to do.”
Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen, who lies third in the drivers’ championship table behind Vettel and Alonso, was of the opinion that qualifying will make all the difference. “If we do well in qualifying, we have a good chance to try and beat them. It’s not only them though.
There are others we must beat as well so let us wait and watch,” the ‘Iceman’ said.
Vettel’s team-mate Webber, who will hang up his boots as a Formula One driver at the end of this season, has had the best view of Vettel and everything that has gone into making him the success that he is. Vettel’s top-dog status has often pushed Webber to shade but that has not curtailed his will to fight and overcome his nemesis.
“He is on a phenomenal run now. His stats here speak for themselves. It will need a prefect weekend -- pole, perfect race, perfect strategy, perfect everything to obviously put him off the top step. So basically running the perfect race has got to be the plan,” said the Australian in a stiff tone.
Talking about driving at his last Formula One race in India, Webber said: “I don’t want to talk about cricket too much but from there you can see how passionate they are. They are willing to put in the effort to understand Formula One. They have understood the sport very quickly and it’s a shame that it will not be around. I will miss driving here. It also means I’ll have only three races before my career in F1 ends.”