Statistics, the arithmetic of Formula One achievement, too often overshadow the human effort behind the cold facts.
The numbers game illustrates only with realism and no bias the good, the bad and the indifferent and hidden behind lies the real truth of what it takes to amass the figures that add up to success.
This weekend's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka could and should be the scene of Sebastian Vettel's claiming of his second successive world championship. The youngest-ever driver to do that.
He has won there twice already and a hat-trick third victory would secure him the crown. So would just one point from a lowly tenth place.
But what has gone before in this sparkling season of German genius Vettel's mastery has served to rocket him to the forefront of F1 with a display of sheer talent so rarely seen at such a towering level.
His triumphs may have garnered the necessary numbers and the bare statistics to represent his control of the title chase, but it is the manner and panache of his winning streak, the underlying skill and dash and daring, that have stirred the admiration rivals and worldwide onlookers alike.
Nine wins, 11 pole positions and a 124 points lead in the championship this season are the indisputable stats — but equally so, and to those of us lucky enough to have witnessed it first hand, trackside, is the manner of his intrinsic performances behind the wheel of a 220mph missile.
Even more so, his unaffected attitude and grace without conceit after the most overwhelming of victories, with opponents blown aside and left wondering which way he went, is a thoroughly admirable quality too often lacking in a winner's demeanour.
F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone says ominously for the frustrated chasers: "He is a truly brilliant driver - and there will more, much, much more, to come from him."
It is evident that before long Red Bull will break the bank to up his £10m-a-year wages and tie him into a long-term contract, maybe for the rest of his F1 career. That he will face temptations galore from rival teams is another inevitability — but I can't see his team boss, mentor, trusted advisor and great friend Christian Horner letting him go.
More Vettel statistics will be added to the rapidly mounting pile this Sunday, but crucially, it will be the figure one in various guises emerging most important of all.
The single point he needs to reign again, not that he'll settle for tenth, more likely 1st place in Japan to celebrate in style and show us that now familiar forefinger salute that signals he is No 1.
The numbers game illustrates only with realism and no bias the good, the bad and the indifferent and hidden behind lies the real truth of what it takes to amass the figures that add up to success.
This weekend's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka could and should be the scene of Sebastian Vettel's claiming of his second successive world championship. The youngest-ever driver to do that.
He has won there twice already and a hat-trick third victory would secure him the crown. So would just one point from a lowly tenth place.
But what has gone before in this sparkling season of German genius Vettel's mastery has served to rocket him to the forefront of F1 with a display of sheer talent so rarely seen at such a towering level.
His triumphs may have garnered the necessary numbers and the bare statistics to represent his control of the title chase, but it is the manner and panache of his winning streak, the underlying skill and dash and daring, that have stirred the admiration rivals and worldwide onlookers alike.
Nine wins, 11 pole positions and a 124 points lead in the championship this season are the indisputable stats — but equally so, and to those of us lucky enough to have witnessed it first hand, trackside, is the manner of his intrinsic performances behind the wheel of a 220mph missile.
Even more so, his unaffected attitude and grace without conceit after the most overwhelming of victories, with opponents blown aside and left wondering which way he went, is a thoroughly admirable quality too often lacking in a winner's demeanour.
F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone says ominously for the frustrated chasers: "He is a truly brilliant driver - and there will more, much, much more, to come from him."
It is evident that before long Red Bull will break the bank to up his £10m-a-year wages and tie him into a long-term contract, maybe for the rest of his F1 career. That he will face temptations galore from rival teams is another inevitability — but I can't see his team boss, mentor, trusted advisor and great friend Christian Horner letting him go.
More Vettel statistics will be added to the rapidly mounting pile this Sunday, but crucially, it will be the figure one in various guises emerging most important of all.
The single point he needs to reign again, not that he'll settle for tenth, more likely 1st place in Japan to celebrate in style and show us that now familiar forefinger salute that signals he is No 1.
![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/s/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}