Alonso, Vettel duel for F1 world title in Korean GP

SEOUL—Heading into this weekend’s Korean Grand Prix, the Formula One drivers’ championship is shaping up as a duel between defending champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull and leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.

Vettel took his second consecutive checkered flag at the Japanese GP on Sunday to move within four points of Alonso with five races left. Alonso’s lead was further eroded after he crashed on the first turn in Suzuka.

Vettel’s dominating win from the pole at Suzuka made him the first driver this season to record back-to-back victories, and he joined Alonso and Mercedesbound Lewis Hamilton as the only drivers to win three times this season.

Despite his recent success, Vettel said a lot of things can change between now and the end of the season.

“Things can change very quickly,” said Vettel, who also won last year’s Korean GP. “It’s much closer now but every weekend can be different. It’s a very new calendar for all of us this year with back-to-back races in Japan and Korea and then in America and Brazil, so we just have to focus on each individual race and see what happens.”

Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo said Alonso has been a victim of bad luck and, if not for the mistakes of other drivers, would be in a better position.

“We know we can count on the strongest driver around at the moment, and it’s only mistakes from others at Spa and again at Suzuka that have prevented him from having a more comfortable lead over his rivals,” Montezemolo said.

Alonso was unable to finish the Belgium GP after a spectacular crash caused by Lotus driver Romain Grosjean. (AP)