Front-runners

Alook at those leading the F1 pecking order going into the 2013 Indian Grand Prix

1

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) He won, he won again, and he continued winning long enough to see cheers turn to boos. But Vettel, with 33 Grands Prix wins, is not daunted by booing spectators. Poised to win his fourth world championship, he has one answer for his critics—the crooked finger.

2

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) The most highly paid driver in the circuit and twice world champion, Alonso has been making a mark since his debut with Minardi at the Australian Grand Prix in 2001. He’s trailing Vettel in the 2013 drivers’ championship, with little hope of catching up.

3

Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) Currently with Lotus but waiting to return to Ferrari in 2014, the Flying Finn is third in the F1 standings with 167 points*. The highlights of his nine-year-long career in F1 are his world title in 2007 and his undisclosed multi-million-dollar price tag.

4

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) When Lewis Hamilton’s parents named him after sprinter Carl Lewis in 1985, little did they know they were marrying him to speed. Launching his career in 2001, he peaked in 2008 with a photo-finish against Timo Glock to win the World Championship.

5

Mark Webber (Red Bull) Despite his ongoing tirade against Pirelli tyres, Aussie Mark Webber—with 130 points*—is one of the contenders most likely to overcome Vettel in the future. Though, having joined Porsche for the 2014 World Endurance Championship, this may be his last F1 season.