Formula 1®
It’s not over yet
Although Vettel sealed the 2013 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship last week in India, the race for the 2013 DHL Fastest Lap Award is far from over.
In the closing laps of the Indian Grand Prix on October 27, all eyes were on Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel as he drove to victory – and into history – sealing his fourth consecutive Formula 1 Championship.
The Champ also had the DHL Fastest Lap in the bag until the race’s final lap – which would have given him seven on the year, securing that trophy as well.
"[Vettel] had Fastest Lap in his pocket, but it didn't work out."
That’s when the “Iceman” came into the picture and swept away Vettel’s chance of sweeping it all up in one go.
"[Vettel] had Fastest Lap in his pocket, but it didn't work out," said DHL's F1 Export and former F1 driver, Christian Danner, after the race.
Ice cold
It wasn’t the best of circumstances that saw Lotus driver Kimi Räikkönnen forced to pit with one lap to go. Team Lotus had opted for a risky one-pit strategy – one that worked brilliantly until Räikkönnen’s tires began to go off and he fell from second to seventh. But the last minute pit-stop meant the Finn had a fresh set of fast softs for the last lap. Known for missing few opportunities, the Iceman came out hot and piloted an ice-cold Fastest Lap in 1min 27.679sec in his final lap on the 5.125km Buddh International Circuit – a half-second faster than Vettel.
That gives Kimi two on the year, which means he cannot catch Vettel at six, but it does mean that the race is still open. Teammate Mark Webber remains two back with three races to go.
Red Bull battle
Although the championship has been decided 2013 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX this weekend should be no less exciting as drivers manoeuvre for points and try to impress for next year. Mark Webber has been slowly moving up in the driver’s standings and a podium finish along with the DHL Fastest Lap Award would be just the parting gifts the Aussie is looking for as he leaves Formula 1 behind. And let’s not forget that Vettel loves to drive Fastest Lap and will be vying for his seventh consecutive win this year – a feat that will tie the current record.
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