Alonso not fazed by title showdown

Published on 16/11/2012 00:00

Fernando Alonso says he is relaxed and focused ahead of his latest Formula One title showdown with Sebastian Vettel.

Alonso has seen a 44-point lead he held over Vettel following his win in Germany in July eroded on the back of the latter’s stunning late resurgence in his Red Bull.

Four consecutive victories recently have allowed Vettel to overhaul a man he is going head to head with in their fight to become a three-times champion.

In Abu Dhabi last time out, when German Vettel was put to the back of the grid as punishment for a fuel irregularity after qualifying, Ferrari star Alonso would have expected to have made significant inroads.

But Vettel produced a stunning drive to finish third behind Alonso who only managed to claw back three points going into Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, to leave the gap at ten. Alonso will attempt to push Vettel to the wire in Brazil next weekend

The Spaniard said: “For these last two races, I feel normal. This is the fourth time I’m fighting for the world championship, with the hope it will go to the last race. You can feel the difference of being focused, concentrated on doing the job.”