Sebastian Vettel was sworn at by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso after winning the Italian grand prix at Monza two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
That is the unconfirmed claim of the German daily Bild-Zeitung, who said Spaniard Alonso whispered in the ear of championship Vettel before the Monza podium: “F*ck you, my boy”.<\/p>\n
Earlier, to the passionate Tifosi’s chagrin, Vettel had passed Alonso to lead the race, a move the Red Bull driver described as “very hard but fair”.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, the team’s outspoken Dr Helmut Marko said it was “good to show Alonso how the wind blows”.<\/p>\n
Double world champion Alonso however denies Bild’s claim that he insulted Vettel.<\/p>\n
“We chatted briefly but it was quite normal and friendly,” said the Spaniard.<\/p>\n
Bild said Vettel would not comment.<\/p>\n
But in an interview with the German broadcaster RTL, he talked about having the respect of his rivals.<\/p>\n
“It’s important to me that I can feel it,” said the 24-year-old, “even if you have had an extremely tough race.”<\/p>\n
Should Vettel extend his huge lead by another 13 points in Singapore, he will be crowned champion with five races still to run in 2011.<\/p>\n
An analysis by Financial Times Deutschland said that with 27 per cent of the calendar to go, Vettel’s achievement will rank among the best in F1 history.<\/p>\n
But Jim Clark (1963 and 1965), Jackie Stewart (1969 and 1971) and Nigel Mansell (1992) actually secured those championships in an even more rapid manner.<\/p>\n
And the record is held by Michael Schumacher, who won the title with more than 35 per cent of the 2002 calendar still to run.<\/p>\n
At least Red Bull figures are now starting to admit the inevitability of Vettel’s 2011 triumph.<\/p>\n
“In many ways it’s more of a challenge to defend a title,” said Vettel’s boss Christian Horner.\u00a0 “It’s one thing to win a title, another to stay up there,” he told Die Welt newspaper.<\/p>\n
“Sebastian just gets stronger and stronger.”<\/p>\n
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