Sebastian Vettel is the strong favourite to win the Indian Grand Prix after setting the pace in first practice.
Vettel has won the last five races and looks in good shape to make it six in a row following today’s practice, where he pipped team-mate Mark Webber by 0.188 seconds.
Nico Rosberg finished third for Mercedes just ahead of Romain Grosjean in fourth.
Fernando Alonso, who is the only driver capable of preventing Vettel from clinching the world championship on Sunday, finished 12th after suffering a gearbox problem.
Alonso has to score at least 16 points more but Vettel will definitely clinch the title if he finishes fifth or higher.
The Ferrari driver says he will continue to battle on but believes Vettel is capable of winning the remaining four races and so it is only a “matter of time” before he secures the title.
“It is a matter of time when he will get the championship,” said Alonso. “I am sure he will try to win the remaining four races and he has the potential to win all four.
“We will try to be as close to him as possible and try to fight for the podium but I don’t think Sebastian’s approach will change our race.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was fifth quickest ahead of McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Sergio Perez.
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