Vettel to clinch third straight crown say Experts
Sebastian Vettel will triumph in Brazil and clinch his third straight Formula 1 world drivers’ championship crown according to the Castrol EDGE Grand Prix Predictor Experts.
The 25-year-old German can seal the title if he finishes fourth or higher, regardless of how title rival Fernando Alonso fares.
He is unlikely to need such a fullback according to the Experts though, with the Red Bull man a unanimous favourite for victory in the championship decider.
Three-time grand prix winner Johnny Herbert, triple WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, sportscar ace Darren Turner and AUTOSPORT all tip Vettel to triumph.
Alonso by comparison fails to make the podium of any of the four Experts’ selections.
He is instead selected in fourth by Herbert, Priaulx and AUTOSPORT, while Turner has him fifth.
In his absence second is likely to be contested by Austin victor Lewis Hamilton and the second Red Bull of Mark Webber.
The Australian is Priaulx and AUTOSPORT’s preferred choice, while Herbert and Turner opt for Hamilton.
Hamilton just edges the fight however as he earns podium tips from all four Experts, while Webber finishes in fourth in Turner’s forecast.
Behind the lead quarter, Jenson Button just edges Felipe Massa in the fight for fifth.
Massa, who claimed three poles and two wins at his home track between 2006 and 2008, finishes fifth for Priaulx and AUTOSPORT, sixth for Turner and seventh for Herbert.
Button meanwhile makes Turner’s podium forecast, but only comes home seventh in AUTOSPORT’s top 10.
The battle for the final points-paying positions is more condensed than recent races, with Lotus men Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean earning nominations across the board.
Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg makes the top 10 of all but Turner, while Pastor Maldonado, Paul di Resta, Bruno Senna and Sergio Perez all earn at least one selection.
Heading into the season decider Turner currently sits top of the Experts’ League, narrowly ahead of Herbert and AUTOSPORT.
Last year’s winner Priaulx is slightly further back in fourth, although he still retains a mathematical chance of defending his 2011 crown.