Mind Games and Trash Talk in India, as Vettel Wins and Alonso Brags

DELHI - A curious thing happened this weekend at the Indian Grand Prix outside Delhi. Each successive victory by Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull seemed to imbue Fernando Alonso of Ferrari with ever more confidence. Twice this weekend Alonso insisted that he will win this season's title, though he lost first place in the rankings to Vettel after Vettel's victory at the Korean Grand Prix two weeks ago. Alonso dropped behind by a further seven points on Sunday after Vettel again dominated the race and took his second victory in a row in the Indian Grand Prix - and his fourth victory in a row this season.

In fact, something fabulous is going on with Vettel. He has become the first driver to lead every lap of three races in a row since Ayrton Senna accomplished the feat in 1989. (When presented with that fact by Martin Brundle, a contemporary driver of Senna, Vettel looked abashed and asked that he please not be compared to such a great driver.

Alonso had said on Satu rday that he was 100 percent certain that he would win the title this year, not Vettel. And after Sunday's race, he said it again. Given Vettel's results, and the comparative speed of the Red Bull to Alonso's Ferrari, it is difficult to see how Alonso can come to that conclusion.

On the other hand, Alonso did prove a point by starting fifth and moving up to finish second. His Ferrari was undeniably better in the race than in the qualifying round.

But there could be another phenomenon going on here, something that usually has more to do with preparation for a heavyweight boxing title than a Formula One championship: In the last three seasons - two of which Vettel won - the German driver showed just how dangerous he is when his confidence is high. When Vettel is on a roll, he rarely makes a mistake, and when he gets a whiff of blood, he goes for the jugular. Alonso may well be trying to poke a hole in that confidence and, at he same time, pump up his own.

Wh atever the case, and whatever the result, it looks more likely now than ever that one of these two drivers - of the five remaining contenders - will take the title this season. They are in a race not just for this year's title, but also to become Formula One's youngest triple world champion in history. Since both are equally ferocious and talented, the final three races of this series promise to be a thrilling contest, a boxing match in three rounds.