Auto News

Vettel shrugs off doubts to coast to sixth win

Defending Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel won the European Grand Prix yesterday to extend his lead in the overall standings with his sixth win in eight races.

His 16th career victory made him the first man to finish first or second in the opening eight races of a season in the history of the Formula One world championship.

The 23-year-old German dispelled any thoughts that his last lap error in Canada a fortnight ago which cost him victory would have an adverse effect on him as he coasted home in his Red Bull to beat Spain´s Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari.

Vettel´s Australian team-mate Mark Webber was third. Vettel´s victory saw him open up a huge 77-points gap in this year´s title race. He now has 186 points after eight of the season´s 19 events, ahead of nearest rival Briton Jenson Button on 109.

It was just the fourth time in Formula One history that all the drivers finished the race and first time since the Italian Grand Prix in 2005.

Vettel said that it had been far from easy. “For some reason I enjoy this track, even though we maybe think it doesn´t suit our car because there are no 100 per cent fast corners,” he explained.

“Maybe it looked easy for me from the outside, but I can tell you it was not like that for me – there was so much going on. It was never a boring race for me.” Alonso was delighted with his second place. “It was interesting for the fans today to see my fight with Webber all the way through,” said the two-time world champion.

Posted on Monday, June 27, 2011 @ 03:19:51 LKT

>> Back to News