Sebastian Vettel clocked a blistering record lap time in the shortened last practice session on Saturday at the Indian Grand Prix to underline his determination to wrap up the world title this weekend.
Vettel, who only needs to finish among the top five on Sunday to seal his fourth consecutive Formula One crown, timed 1min 25.332sec to go quickest in the session.
The 26-year-old German, also fastest in both practice sessions on Friday, is set to match compatriot Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina as the only drivers to win four successive titles.
Australian teammate Mark Webber made it a one-two for Red Bull at 1:25.892, while Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso – the closest challenger to Vettel but a mammoth 90 points behind in the standings – came in third at 1:26.105.
The session was reduced to 40 minutes instead of an hour after poor visibility caused by mist and haze delayed the start.
Vettel, who has won the past five races, romped home in India in 2011 and 2012 and looks unbeatable again.
The only way Vettel can be denied another world title is if he fails to score a point in the remaining four races – provided Alonso wins at least three of them and finishes second in the other.
Formula One team Williams have been fined 60,000 euros ($A86,700) for the second race in a row after a wheel nut came off Pastor Maldonado’s car during practice, the FIA said on Saturday.
Maldonado was forced to pull off the circuit after his right front wheel shed a nut during the second free practice at the Buddh International Circuit on Friday. Williams were punished at Suzuka in Japan for a similar offence two weeks ago.
“The stewards decide that a fine of 60,000 euros is the most appropriate penalty in this case, taking into account that this was the second offence but, on this occasion, the wheel was retained,” unlike in Suzuka, the FIA said in a statement.
“Whilst the stewards accept that improvements to the wheel retaining system had been implemented, the team need to ensure that both the wheel and its fastener are fully retained on the car,” it said.
There was no immediate comment from Williams, who are languishing in ninth place in the constructors’ championship with just one point.
