adminRED Bull’s Sebastian Vettel dominated the Korean Grand Prix to put himself on the brink of a fourth consecutive world championship.
The German’s title rival, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, could finish only sixth and Vettel will take the title in Japan next Sunday if he wins with Alonso lower than eighth.
Lotus drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean took second and third. Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg fended off Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton for fourth.
Hulkenberg’s presence in the top placings provided much of the excitement in the race and led to a frenetic last 20 laps after the field had been closed up following two safety-car periods.
Hulkenberg, who had spent the first part of the race defending from Alonso and Raikkonen, now found himself under intense pressure first from Hamilton and then from the Mercedes and Alonso, who also had McLaren’s Jenson Button and Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg close behind.
The Sauber was slow around most of the lap but fast on the straights and it led to some thrilling racing. Hamilton actually passed Hulkenberg at Turn One on lap 48, with seven to go, but was re-passed down the straight to Turn Three. Meanwhile, Hamilton was also having to fend off Alonso.
Not long afterwards, Hamilton even got on the radio to his team to ask if anyone had any suggestions, a sentiment with which Alonso would have plenty of sympathy.
The Sauber’s straight-line speed, and ability to come off Turn One faster than his rivals, meant Hulkenberg was able to hang on to fourth place.
BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard said: “Great display under pressure. I know I sound like I’ve joined the Nico Hulkenberg fan club, but this is impressive.”
Hulkenberg had got himself into that position by making a good start from seventh on the grid and moving up to fifth on the first lap, passing Alonso after the Ferrari lost speed up the long straight after getting on to the kerb on the exit of Turn One avoiding Rosberg.
Vettel streaked away at the front, totally in control from lap one, while behind him Grosjean edged away from the Mercedes of Hamilton and Rosberg.
Hulkenberg held off Alonso and Raikkonen through the first pit stops before the Finn jumped ahead by bringing forward his second pit stop.
The race was then enlivened by two safety-car periods in quick succession. The first was caused by a tyre failure on Sergio Perez’s McLaren. At the re-start, Raikkonen passed Grosjean for second place into Turn One, despite a late defensive lunge by the Frenchman.
Rosberg took seventh, delayed by a front wing failure mid-race, ahead of Button and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.-BBC..
Online Reporter