Sebastian Vettel cannot wrap up his third consecutive drivers’ title this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
The German extended his points lead over Fernando Alonso to 13 points in India, making him now the clear favourite for the championship.
But with three races to go, even if Ferrari’s Alonso scores no points this weekend in Abu Dhabi, Vettel would have to wait at least until the penultimate race in Texas in order to seal the deal mathematically in 2012.
Maths aside, the Red Bull driver’s form indicates a very likely win.
On Sunday, he became the first driver to lead every lap of three consecutive grands prix since Ayrton Senna in 1989.
And his 26th career victory moved him past the tally of the great Niki Lauda.
Nonetheless, paddock experts insist his rival Alonso has been just as impressive this year at the wheel of an inferior Ferrari.
Alonso said in India that has title battle is not with Vettel but with Red Bull’s genius designer Adrian Newey.
Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari fully agrees.
"The Indian grand prix confirmed it fully," he told Mundo Deportivo newspaper. "Newey won, and the talent of Vettel made it possible.
"Alonso might not win in the end, but what he has achieved already is a major title — the recognition of the fans, the media and the F1 circus that he is the best F1 driver.
"I think there is no sport in the world in which the loser can maybe get as much recognition as the winner," said Alguersuari.