Alan Jones

Greater Noida: Sebastian Vettel isn’t taking anything for granted, despite leading the F1 drivers’ standings, but the 1980 world champion, Alan Jones, believes the German will make it a hat-trick.

Jones, by the way, isn’t in a minority.

“I do believe it’s going to be Vettel again... He’s a very gifted driver and ends up in the right car at the right time,” Jones told The Telegraph on Friday evening.

Jones, who is one of the FIA stewards, added: “Vettel’s riding a wave of confidence... Red Bull (Racing) were having problems with the car, but that has been sorted out in the past month...

“The car has improved and, today, Vettel is a lot more confident... Red Bull and Vettel have made a strong comeback and I see this continuing as the year draws to a close.”

Four races remain, the first at the business end being the Indian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Talking about Vettel, Jones (an Australian) had this to say: “For me, Vettel is a freak... I’d put him in the class of freaks... Every now and then, a guy comes along and, no matter where he puts his bum, he wins...

“That’s Vettel... F3, go-karting, F1... The guy just wins... He’s special and has shown the consistency exhibited by the really good drivers. In fact, by all really good sportspersons.”

Vettel, for the record, was the fastest in both practice sessions during the day. But he’s keeping fingers crossed, for it’s not Friday which matters, but Saturday (for qualifying) and, of course, Sunday.

Having won the last three races, Vettel is a win away from a personal best of four in a row.

Meanwhile, Jones is the latest to be wowed by the spectacular Buddh International Circuit.

“I drove the course car on the track and liked it... I’d love to race... It’s a technical circuit, challenging for the drivers... It promises a good race, something we all want to see,” Jones said.