Apr.14 (GMM) It was an amusing case of mistaken identity for world champion and 2011 series leader Sebastian Vettel.

As flight MH388 touched down in Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, a plethora of F1 faces waited for officials to welcome them to China.

One customs official spotted blonde-haired German Vettel and, according to Bild newspaper, exclaimed: "Fernando! Fernando Alonso!"

His Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, waiting in line behind Vettel, told the 23-year-old: "Go on Fernando, it's your turn."

Vettel can achieve a rare hat-trick of F1 wins this Sunday, and - dating back to late 2010 - victory in China would make him a five-time consecutive race winner.

"I am not counting," he insisted. "I take it as it comes. But, clearly, to defend my title I have to win as much as I can. That's the goal, and the sooner the better."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version