user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Vettel's lead down to 10 points after Abu Dhabi thriller

Vettel's lead down to 10 points after Abu Dhabi thriller

  • Published on 05 Nov 2012 08:45
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Sebastian Vettel picked up the pieces of a devastating Saturday in Abu Dhabi by carving through the field to finish Sunday's spectacular grand prix in third place. Given his pitlane start, an extra pitstop for a twice-damaged front wing, and having to give back a place after overtaking off the Yas circuit, minimising his loss of points to championship rival Fernando Alonso was an impressive result for the Red Bull driver.

"There was the chance (this weekend) to f**k it up," the delighted Vettel told David Coulthard - who apologised for the double world champion's language - on the podium. Vettel, having started the race 13 points ahead of Ferrari's Spaniard Alonso, is now 10 points ahead with just one more back to back pairing of races in Austin and Interlagos now to run. "I told you guys," Vettel said on the radio after recovering his disastrous weekend, "don't stop believing."

Also still believing is Alonso, who uttered not a word to his title rival in the post-race podium preparation room, shook his trophy with determination a few minutes later, and cracked no smile when Vettel tipped champagne on Coulthard's head. "You can see he's pumped up," Red Bull boss Christian Horner told British Sky television. Alonso confirmed: "We keep fighting until the end."

Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen finally broke through to win a race in his F1 comeback, but the victory was helped along by pole sitter and runaway leader Lewis Hamilton's failure. (GMM)

Order your Red Bull Racing merchandise here!
Vettel's lead down to 10 points after Abu Dhabi thriller
F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Ferrari Red Bull Racing Lotus F1

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2022

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
759
2
Ferrari
554
3
Mercedes
514
4
Alpine F1
173
5
McLaren
159
6
Alfa Romeo Racing
55
7
Aston Martin
55
8
Haas F1
37
9
Alpha Tauri
35
10
Williams
8
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
Fernando Alonso
  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 296
  • Podiums 1
  • Grand Prix 122
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (41)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Ferrari
Ferrari
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia
Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
26 - May 28
Monaco
Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
16 - Jun 18
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
30 - Jul 2
Austria
Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy
Monza
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
22 - Sep 24
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
6 - Oct 8
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
16 - Jun 18
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
22 - Sep 24
Japan Circuit Suzuka
6 - Oct 8
Qatar Losail International Circuit
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar