The reality, though, is that Vettel is likely to prevail if he gets away well.
And even if he does not, second place would be no disaster as he homes in on
a fourth consecutive drivers’ title. Only non-finishes can stop him now.
Vettel’s nearest challenger in the championship, Ferrari’s Fernando
Alonso, could only go sixth quickest in qualifying, although the Spaniard
rises one spot thanks to Mark Webber’s 10-place grid penalty, incurred after
receiving his third reprimand of the season for the infamous ‘taxi ride’ on
Alonso’s sidepod post-Singapore Grand Prix. Alonso needs wins, but once
again looks to have left himself too much to do from fifth on the grid.
Vettel did not sound too worried by the possibility of wind, rain, or anything
else for that matter.
“I don’t mind, it’s not a disaster if it starts to rain,” said the
German, for whom this was a 42nd career pole, lifting him to third in the
all-time list. “We have rain tyres in the garage.
“They were talking about heavy winds [earlier in the week]. When I
arrived on Wesnesday, it was very windy, but it has died down since then and
I think the typhoon has changed direction.
“If we get some rain from the typhoon, it doesn’t matter. The most
important thing is that we did the job today.”
You cannot deny that. Red Bull were as ruthlessly efficient as ever although
the near-empty grandstands in Korea and patent lack of enthusiasm in the
post-qualifying press conference – just one question was asked by a
journalist after the initial QA conducted by the governing body – was
indicative of the general air of resignation.
The more intriguing narratives this year lie further down the grid, or away
from it altogether.
In McLaren’s continuing struggles, for instance. Jenson Button and Sergio
Perez could only qualify 12th and 11th fastest respectively in Korea,
although both rise on the grid one place thanks to Webbber’s penalty. The
Woking team are drifting, seemingly in need of a new injection of dynamism.
Question marks continue to mount.
In the seats yet to be filled for next year and the drivers battling to fill
them: notably Force India’s Paul di Resta, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and
Ferrari’s departing Felipe Massa.
In politics away from the track, with December’s FIA presidential election
simmering in the background. In speculation over 2014 and the step-change in
engine regulations, which could really shake the grid up.
For now, it is business as usual. Vettel marches on.