Fernando Alonso will be 2012 F1 champion, says Niki Lauda

The Spaniard took the lead of the championship following the European Grand Prix at Valencia and has not relinquished it despite not having the most competitive car of the field.

The Ferrari driver is still 29 points ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel with six races to go after the German won last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

Despite not having the quickest car out there, Lauda reckons Alonso will take his third crown thanks to his amazing consistency.

"He will score the most points. He will be champion if he carries on like he has done up until now," Lauda told the official Formula 1 website.

"He is making all the right moves. He is fast and he is getting the car over the finish line. He is aggressive when needed. He is Mr Right, right now."

Although there are still seven drivers with mathematical chances of winning the title, Lauda reckons the list will get smaller fast if Alonso can keep up his consistency.

"Yes and no," he replied when asked if all seven were genuine contenders. "Theoretically and mathematically yes. But the big question is whether Alonso will stop racing.

"If so, then the others might get into a position where they can catch up. But why should he stop?

"I say that he will carry on racing the way he has done so far and then the list of those who count themselves still in the running is dramatically reduced."

For a full interview with Lauda, look out for this week's magazine, available from Thursday