F1 correspondents tip Alonso for 2013 title

The overwhelming majority of international media correspondents surveyed in the F1 paddock have tipped Fernando Alonso to win the 2013 title.

Spanish newspaper AS’s Manuel Franco surveyed 21 of his journalistic counterparts at Sepang, and "Rarely are the (writers’) opinions so unanimous", he said.

Of the accredited journalists surveyed, "Only three of them think Sebastian Vettel will be world champion again this year," revealed Franco.

"The others count without hesitation on Fernando Alonso," he added.

Franco continued: "What is significant is that the Spaniard is seen as the favourite by (correspondents from) the US, Russia, Brazil, Finland, Mexico ..."

Franco said another fascinating finding of his survey is that "only one" of the correspondents said Ferrari’s F138 is the best car on the 2013 grid.