Canada win bad news for Vettel’s hope of fourth title
Published:Sebastian Vettel has lauded over the Formula One scene for the past three seasons steaming his way to a trio of consecutive titles along the way.
However, his third victory of the year in Montreal could put a dent in his hopes of securing a fourth title in as many years.
No eventual world champion has crossed the line first in Canada since Fernando Alonso in 2006, and Vettel’s first success around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve may prove to be an unwanted triumph.
The German is now as short as 2/5 to be bestowed with the title once again and it would seem his rivals have little hope of catching him, despite the Red Bull man insisting the race is still on.
Kimi Raikkonen sits in third in the standings, an imposing 44 points adrift of the summit.
The Finn’s hopes should be boosted by his win in the opening race in Australia.
The Melbourne based Grand Prix as been a reliable precursor as to who is crowned the planet’s best come the end of the campaign, with five of the preceding eight world champions storming over the line at Albert Park.
The 2007 title winner is 14/1 to double up in 2013 and with 13 of his 20 Formula One wins coming after the seventh race there is no doubt that the former rally driver can apply the pressure later in the year.
Spaniard Fernando Alonso is the only other driver who is within touching distance.
The Asturian is 36 points behind Vettel but has a wealth of experience behind him that has seen him finish second to Vettel in two of the preceding three campaigns and led him to titles in 2005 and 2006.
Britain and Germany will play host to the next two races of the season.
Alonso has two victories on British soil to Vettel’s one, while the German has never won his home Grand Prix, whereas the Ferrari man has three victories at the Hockenheimring, including two in the last three years.
If he can replicate his previous form at these two races then Alonso’s 11/4 price on securing a third crown will look overly generous.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
