Formula 1: Alonso keeps title race open with podium finish
Fernando Alonso has good chances of becoming World Champion for the third time at the Formula 1 finale in Brazil next weekend. The Ferrari racer whose car is fitted with dampers from ZF Friedrichshafen AG clinched third place at the penultimate round of the season in Austin (Texas/USA). The Spaniard who had started from position seven on the grid made up four places during the 56 race laps. Before the finale Alonso is thus trailing championship leader Sebastian Vettel by merely 13 points. Alonso’s Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa whose car is fitted with dampers from ZF Friedrichshafen AG as well drove from position eleven on the grid to fourth place.
Results, GP of America (USA), round 19, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 16 Nov – 18 Nov 2012:
1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1h 35m 55.269s
2. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, + 0.675s
3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, + 39.229s, ZF
4. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, + 46.013s, ZF
5. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, + 56.432s
6. Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus-Renault, + 1m 04.425s
7. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault, + 1m 10.313s
8. Nico Hülkenberg, Force India-Mercedes, + 1m 13.792s
9. Pastor Maldonado, Williams-Renault, + 1m 14.525s
10. Bruno Senna, Williams-Renault, + 1m 15.133s.
Drivers world championship standings:
1. S. Vettel, 273 points; 2. F. Alonso, 260; 3. K. Räikkönen, 206; 4. L. Hamilton, 190; 5. M. Webber, 167; 6. J. Button, 163; 7. F. Massa, 107; 8. R. Grosjean, 96; 9. N. Rosberg, 93; 10. S. Pérez, 66.
Constructors world championship standings:
1. Red Bull-Renault, 440 points; 2. Ferrari, 367; 3. McLaren-Mercedes, 353; 4. Lotus-Renault, 302; 5. Mercedes, 136; 6. Sauber-Ferrari, 124; 7. Force India-Mercedes, 99; 8. Williams-Renault, 76; 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 22.