Another time,another Vettel

For obvious reasons,the Sebastian Vettel on Thursday wasnt the one that had participated in the maiden Indian Grand Prix

For obvious reasons,the Sebastian Vettel on Thursday wasnt the one that had participated in the maiden Indian Grand Prix. In 2011,his racing skill had won the race; his infectious enthusiasm the masses. The disarming smile never seemed to go away.

That Vettel had come to India,having clinched the title three races ago. The 60 lap-run at the Buddh International Circuit was part of the lap of honour that the rest of the season was reduced to. After overwhelming his rivals,the German seemed to be here to make friends as he explored the country a little and even picked up the language. He was what he was: a 24-year-old having a bit of fun after a job well done.

The Vettel on Thursday looked jaded and somewhat concerned. The reigning world champion has been under the pump for the first time in two years. He won 12 races last year; this year he won one out of the first 13. And although the German comes to Greater Noida having won three in a row and taken a six-point championship lead,the title defence is very much a work in progress. Vettel just cant afford a slip-up here. He cant quite afford that smile just yet.

Its not an advantage if you have won the last race or the last championship. You have to start again, he says. Still,we do mistakes,but most importantly I do not do that twice.

Team orders?

There is speculation on whether Red Bull are going to instruct Mark Webber,fifth in the standings and still in with a mathematical chance,to assist Vettel on Sunday. We will cross that bridge when we reach there, says the leader. It sure is a bridge too far,as the combative Webbers reaction suggests. I will win. Thats it. If Im in the lead this weekend,Im not pulling over for anyone.

At 11/10,Vettel is till the odds-on favourite to win the Indian leg. Last year,he practically owned the untested circuit,topping the qualifying chart,the race leaderboard,and the fastest lap timings. Hopefully we can have a similar result.

Should it happen again,has he picked up more Hindi phrases to drop at the occasion? His famous,if slightly odd,parting message last year was Dhanyavaad,aapki aankhen bohot sundar hain!

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No,not this time. Its a very difficult language, says Thursdays Vettel. Nothing seemed to pull out that famous smile.

Vettel might have given up on his Hindi,but the language has a new fan. Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren drivers helmet for the race is said to have a message written on it in Devanagri,to this effect: If you believe in yourself enough,anything is impossible.

In the paddock,however,the drivers are speaking one language that of love. Their love for the Indian Grand Prix. The sport returns to the place it got smitten by at first sight in October 2011 and this fondness only seemed to have grown after a year-long separation. That the place is all decked up the grass is lush and real,not the hay-painted-green one; the track is swept clean of the last speck of dust; and there are no dogs and powercuts makes is all the more appealing.

Williamss Bruno Senna calls it one of his favourite tracks on the calendar.

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All the rough edges have been sorted out,so its a much nicer place. Of course the experience away from the track is a whole different thing. For those not used to India,its a big cultural shock, says Senna. But its a culture full of history,full of richness and if you learn to appreciate that sort of stuff,you can learn to appreciate the country.