F1: Cocky Alonso in driving seat for F1 crown

Alonso found himself playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix as the Red Bull duo scored their fourth one-two of the year, spearheaded by the German.

After joining them on the Interlagos podium, it means Alonso has the cushion of an eight-point lead over Webber and 15 ahead of Vettel.

Effectively the battle is between that trio because although Lewis Hamilton is 24 points back after finishing fourth, even the Briton has conceded he is in need of a miracle.

For Alonso the scenario is simple for him to take the title. If he does not win at the Yas Marina track he has to finish second if Webber wins - and fourth should Vettel triumph.

Asked whether he was confident, Alonso was unequivocal as he said: "One hundred per cent. I just need to finish second. It doesn't matter who wins in Abu Dhabi if I finish second." A problem of a different kind looms for Red Bull should the same one-two-three occur going into the last lap in Abu Dhabi.

Given the issues between Vettel and Webber this season, will the former pull to one side to allow the latter to take the title?

For the first time yesterday Vettel dropped a broad hint he would do so as the German said: "It depends on where those two guys are (referring to Webber and Alonso).

"You will have to judge according to the situation, but one thing is clear - which is hard for you to imagine - both of us know how to act. We've have had some moments which we're not very proud of and we wouldn't want to repeat."

Vettel was certainly never going to give up his victory yesterday, which if he had done so would have seen Webber just one point off Alonso.

Instead, he rightly claimed his fourth win of the season, leading from first corner to the flag, bar one lap. The one-two result guaranteed Red Bull the constructors' title in only their sixth season, a triumph Vettel feels was one in the eye for all the team's critics.

"It hasn't been that long since Red Bull entered Formula One, so we can be very proud knowing we did the better job over one season against teams like Ferrari and McLaren," he said.