Ruhi Batra TNN
Greater Noida: Sebastian Vettel’s love affair with India continues. Going into the Airtel Indian Grand Prix, the Red Bull Racing driver had a six-point lead over Fernando Alonso in the Formula One drivers’ championship. On Sunday, he convincingly won his second straight Indian F1 race, leading from start to finish.
The win, his fourth in a row and fifth this year, extended his lead to 13 points and ensured that he will go into the season’s final three races with the momentum solidly behind him. Vettel was followed by Fernando Alonso and Webber on the podium.
Minutes after his victory, Vettel reiterated his admiration for India. “Here, money is not that important. It doesn’t matter how old you are. I think it’s more important to have a healthy, happy life, to enjoy your life with your family, with your kids... As a country, this place has a lot to offer,” he said to applause in the press centre. “There are a lot of people here: 1.3 billion or more. It’s quite incredible just to see that, to see how people live here, to see the culture. I think is very, very different,” he added.
MAKING A SPLASH : Team-mates Sebastian Vettel (L) and Mark Webber exult after finishing first and third at the Airtel Indian GP