Alonso looks to Ferrari as Vettel takes title lead

F1 News
Date: 14/October/2012

Fernando Alonso made clear he will need upgrades from Ferrari if he is to reclaim the F1 World Championship advantage from Sebastian Vettel.

Red Bull’s double World Champion knocked Alonso from the head of the standings with victory in Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix - Vettel’s third win in a row.

Alonso finished third, behind Vettel’s team-mate Mark Webber, turning a four-point lead into a six-point deficit with four rounds remaining.

The Spaniard emphasised that he still has an excellent chance of finally lifting his third world crown - and the first for Ferrari since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 - but needs assistance from the Italian factory.

“We just need a little last step to be as competitive as Red Bull and I think it will be a beautiful last four races to the end,” said Alonso.

“We didn’t bring anything new to the last six or seven races so we have been doing what we can and trying to save points.

“But if we can make a little step in terms of performance then we can fight for bigger things.

“Overall, in the next four races, we need to score seven points more than Sebastian. That will be extremely tough, but we believe we can do it.”

Alonso hopes to have updates to try at the forthcoming Indian Grand Prix, on October 26-28.

Vettel, chasing a third consecutive crown, played down the significance of moving into the World Championship lead.

“If you look at this season, it has been pretty much up and down. It was very good for us in the last couple of races, but we also know how quickly it can change,” he said.

“We can take nothing for granted. Whether we have a mental advantage now or not, I don't really care. I'm not into those kind of things.

“We just have to look after ourselves and focus on doing a perfect job every weekend.”

Vettel has won four races this season and Alonso three.