Sebastian Vettel's strong start to the World Series by Renault season continued in Monaco, where another podium result secured his advantage at the head of the drivers'
championship.
Vettel started second in Sunday's race and, with Monaco's tight confines preventing much in the way of overtaking, maintained his position to take another eight points. In a battle which reflected the season so far, Vettel spent the entire 25-lap distance battling with poleman Alvaro Parente, but, despite putting the race leader under constant pressure, could do nothing about passing him.
Taking four points from qualifying on Saturday and eight for second place in the race, Vettel maintained his lead over the Portuguese driver in the standings, albeit with a slightly-reduced seven-point cushion, but admitted that things could have been a lot different.
“First of all, I was lucky to be able to start the race as I was struggling to select first gear on the formation lap - which concerned me a bit!" he revealed, "Thankfully, it seemed to be a temporary problem and worked when I lined up for the start.
"I had a fairly good start, but so did Parente and I had to slot into second going into the first corner. I think, later on in the race, we probably had slightly better pace, but I
couldn't really get close enough to find a way past. It was a little disappointing that we didn't get pole yesterday, but I think I was quite disadvantaged by going out in
group one, when the track was slower. From pole position I think we could have taken the win here.”
Team-mate Mikhail Aleshin completed a strong weekend for Carlin Motorsport by taking eighth position to help the British squad increase its lead in the teams' championship to 28 points.
After his fastest lap in Saturday's qualifying session was disallowed, the Russian lined up ninth on the grid, but made a good start to pass Davide Valsecchi into the first corner. He then pressured seventh-placed Ben Hanley but, like Vettel, was unable to find a way past.
![Sebastien Vettel - Carlin Motorsport [pic credit: Renault Sport Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/328988.jpg)
