Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have all but admitted defeat to Sebastian Vettel, claiming their chances of taking the title from the German’s grasp are all but nil.
The Red Bull driver claimed his sixth race win, out of eight races so far this season. That has given him a 77-point lead over his nearest challengers, Jenson Button and Mark Webber.
Meanwhile, back in fourth and fifth, Hamilton has an 89-point deficit with Alonso a further ten behind.
“It’s finished really, in the sense of the championship it’s almost over already,” admitted Hamilton after the European GP.
However, he is looking forward to his home race in a fortnights time and isn’t going to let the title outlook get him down in front of his adoring British fans.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the fans, because they always put a spark in the weekend and make it that much brighter,” he added. “I hope the weather’s great for us. Of course I’ll be coming there as best prepared as I can, as fast as I can be there.”
Fernando Alonso, slighty worse off in the hunt, shares Hamilton’s centiments.
“The championship is not in our calculations,” added the Spaniard. “If anyone thinks we can win the championship being eight tenths behind [Red Bull], they don’t understand Formula 1.”