“It’s a shame we are not coming back in India next year”- Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel

Amidst lots of controversies and uncertainties the 2013 edition of Airtel Indian Grand Prix signed off in style. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel vying to become the youngest driver in history of Formula One to win the Driver’s Championship four times in a row, clinched the victory here at the beautiful Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Greater Noida. Coming to this race Vettel only needed to finish in top 5 to take the coveted title but he did so in grand style by finishing ‘Numero Uno’. With this win, Team Red Bull also sealed the Constructor Championship.

Exciting motor-work was at display today as Vettel starting from pole position started off well and took an early lead and maintained till the very end. After the free practice sessions and qualifying rounds teams were contemplating the tyre strategy. Considering the flow of the track and smoggy weather conditions most of the team went for soft tyre strategy that proved sweet for Vettel too.

Now in its third edition, Indian Grand Prix is one of the popular destinations for the F-1 drivers. Designed by expert architect Hermann Tilke the 5.137 km circuit has the right ingredients to be rated amongst the best. Often compared to the famous Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps, the BIC consist the stretch where drivers can whizz past at up to 320 km speed and also high speed turn 8 and turn 9 which proves to be challenging and add to the fun.

High points of the race apart from brilliant display by Vettel, were the exceptional overtake by McLaren’s Sergio Perez to clinch the fifth position. He was locked in a three car battle with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikonnen. Perez took advantage of the small gap, when Hamilton was trying to hold his position from Raikonnen. Not to forget the pulsating fight for supremacy showed by speed demons Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

The low points could be the retiring from the race from of Mark Webber. In his farewell season, Webber faced a gearbox problem and had to retire towards the business end of the race. Another low point is the unnecessary rear tyre collision between team-mates Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikonnen.

Flattered by the hospitality, the Indian food admirer Vettel said,” It’s a shame that we are not coming back in India next year”. BIC has been the happy hunting ground for this four times world champion. Now he has tasted success in all three editions held till date. After this facile win, he performed doughnuts in front of grand stand to mesmerize the spectators.