A defeat for Sebastian Vettel in 2011 would involve the biggest formula one comeback since James Hunt won the championship 35 years ago.
Finland Turun Sanomat newspaper reports that the task for Vettel’s pursuers - including his teammate Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and the McLaren drivers - is greater even than Briton Hunt’s in 1976.
Then, flamboyant Hunt won the title by one point after Niki Lauda sat out races to recover from his near-fatal Nurburgring crash, before the great Austrian voluntarily pulled out of the treacherous Japanese finale.
Asked if he is enjoying his near-unprecedented dominance this season, Red Bull’s Vettel told DPA news agency this week: "No, I only enjoy success when I have it."
"Ask me again after the last race in Brazil."