Fernando Alonso is '100%' confident of becoming Formula One world champion for a third time in Abu Dhabi next Sunday.
Alonso found himself playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix as the Red Bull
duo scored their fourth one-two of the year spearheaded by the German.
After joining the them on the Interlagos podium, it means Alonso has an eight-point cushion to Webber and is 15 ahead of Vettel.
Effectively the battle is between that trio because although Lewis Hamilton is 24 points back after finishing fourth,
even the Briton has conceded he is in need of a miracle.
For Alonso the scenario is simple for him to take the title.
If he does not win at the Yas Marina track he has to finish second if Webber wins - and fourth should Vettel triumph.
Asked whether he was confident, Alonso was unequivocal as he said: 'One hundred percent. I just need to finish second.
It doesn't matter who wins in Abu Dhabi if I finish second. So the main goal for us is to be on pole on Saturday and then win the race on Sunday.
'If we cannot do that, if we are not quick enough, then we will try to be second. With that, the problem is finished.'
A problem of a different kind looms for Red Bull should the same one-two-three occur going into the last lap in Abu Dhabi.
Given the issues between Vettel and Webber this season, will the former pull to one side to allow the latter to take the title?
For the first time yesterday Vettel dropped a broad hint he would do so as the German said:
'It depends on where those two guys are (referring to Webber and Alonso).
