Prost hails Vettel's title push

Alain Prost has hailed Sebastian Vettel's ability to rally the full support of his team Red Bull Racing as he continues to push for the 2009 title.

After last month's Italian Grand Prix, team owner Dietrich Mateschitz wrote off his drivers' chances of winning the world championship.

But with a dominant win at Suzuka last Sunday, 22-year-old Vettel moved closer to the lead of the drivers' title than was Kimi Raikkonen at the same point of his championship season in 2007.

"It was already the case last year at Toro Rosso," Prost said on Europe 1 radio. "It is what made the difference (for Vettel) with Sebastien Bourdais, not only the speed on the track."

In the German media, much was made of Vettel's unshaved stubble as he won in Japan, and it is rumoured that the German has promised his mechanics to keep growing the beard until his battle for the title is over.

"Now, this team is really behind him," Prost, the French former four time world champion, added. "A while ago everyone was dejected and saying that the championship was lost, except Vettel who said it was not over and they had to keep fighting.

"In Sao Paulo I see him being very difficult to beat," he added.