Setting the scene for the Indian Grand prix

To much of the watching world, the 2012 Formula 1 season has been distilled into a four-race shoot-out between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, between Red Bull and Ferrari.

Aside from the main players, many would think that the only supporting acts that really matter are the ones that could have an influence on that fight, or perhaps, in the case of very long-shots like Kimi Raikkonen or Lewis Hamilton, force their way back into contention.

The reality is that in the high-stakes world of grand prix racing, there's not a team or driver in the paddock that doesn't have much to play for.

For the big guns, it's obvious what they are aiming for. Vettel talked down his new-found status as championship favourite and Alonso talked up the fact that he's still in a good position. That's standard procedure for drivers in that position; if you're in a position of strength, talk yourself down, of weakness, talk yourself up.

But for both of them, there is just this season to focus on. As Vettel himself pointed out, you can't take points earned in this life into the next one when it starts in Australia 2013.

"You have to have the approach that it all starts from zero again," he said. "You don't have an advantage just because you've won the last race or you won the last championship."