Alonso out to crash Vettel’s title party

Fernando Alonso is intent on wrecking Sebastian Vettel’s chances of winning the World title in Singapore by at least finishing on the podium…

Fernando Alonso is intent on wrecking Sebastian Vettel’s chances of winning the World title in Singapore by at least finishing on the podium.

With 112 points separating Alonso and Vettel in the Drivers’ Championship there is almost no hope of the Ferrari driver putting an end to Vettel’s quest for a second successive crown.

But he can at least keep him at bay for another race weekend.

If Alonso finishes on the podium in Singapore, it doesn’t matter if Vettel even wins the grand prix as he cannot wrap up the title.

However, should the Ferrari driver fail to achieve a top three finish, Vettel stands a good chance of clinching the Championship.

Alonso, though, is intent on preventing that from happening as he heads to Singapore, which he won in 2010 with Ferrari, confident of a strong performance.

“Our aim, when we arrive in Singapore, will be to win the race,” said the Spaniard.

“After practice and qualifying, we will see where we are exactly, but speaking now, before the race, there is one clear aim – which is winning.

“For me, Singapore is always a very special circuit. It is a street circuit with all the characteristics we normally like. We were quick in Monaco this year so l think in Singapore that we have the possibility, the chance, of being competitive.

“I think in this part of the year, with the advantage that Vettel has, winning the title is not mathematically impossible, but it is extremely difficult.

“We will fight to get second place in the championship, which is better than fifth, and try and enjoy every Sunday, as we did in Monza where we qualified fourth, attacked aggressively at the first corner, fought in the race and then enjoyed the podium.”

And although a podium finish from the Spaniard will ultimately just see the title race continue for another race, Alonso reckons the fact that he’s second in the standings in what can only be described as a dismal season for Ferrari is proof that the Scuderia have what it takes to fight.

“Our expectations are always very high,” he said. “We are Ferrari so we know that we need to keep fighting, and we need to be competitive.

“The World Championship is the main target every year because you race for the best team in the world. Next year we will start again preparing the winter and the season in the best way possible and try and fight for the World Championship.

“This year we did not complete our expectations. We were not quick enough in some parts of the year, and we struggled a lot with the 2011 car.

“Even with these problems, however, we are second in the Championship so that shows our aims and ambitions to reach our targets.”