Alonso and Vettel keep calm

Drivers’ World Championship contenders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso agree the big prize will not detract from their focus on this weekend’s US Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso go into the race in Austin, both knowing the Championship is in their own hands. Both argued that their best approach this weekend is to treat it like they would any other race.

“Nothing changes in terms of preparation and approach for the weekend: maximum concentration, maximum effort from everybody in the team,” said Alonso in the FIA press conference on Thursday. “[on] Sunday try to score as many points as possible. Exactly the same as every other weekend.”

“It’s not the first time we’ve raced on a completely new circuit, obviously we had this kind of challenge previous years as well,” added Vettel. “I think we do what we can. The most important is to get into the rhythm tomorrow and have a good start [to the weekend] and go from there.”

Alongside his two victorious years, Fernando Alonso was also in contention at this stage of the season in 2007 and 2010. Today the Spaniard claimed to be much more calm in 2012 than he was as a younger driver. “I’m more relaxed, much more focused,” said the 2005 and 2006 World Champion. “In these last two races, I feel completely normal. It’s good experience. It’s the fourth time we have been fighting for the World Championship up to the last race – hopefully – and you really feel the difference, being much more focused, concentrated, trying to do the job and understanding that if you do everything perfectly, you have a chance.”