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or the second race in succession, Sebastian Vettel confounded all predictions that the high-speed ‘power’ circuits of Spa and Monza would be Red Bull’s weakest link. Now it has ceased to be a question of ‘whether’. The question is ‘when’ will he become Formula One’s youngest ever double world champion.

Frankly, Sebastian could quite comfortably skip racing in Singapore if he wanted to party instead. He now has a 112-point championship lead over his closest rival with a maximum of 150 points available for the rest of the season.

Even if the German were to score no more points this year, it would require either Alonso, Button or Webber to finish in the top two of every one of the remaining races. The current form indicates that is very unlikely to happen.

Anyway, the Singapore Grand Prix is unfinished business for Vettel. In each of the previous three races he has performed strongly, but never stood on that coveted top step of the Marina Bay podium.

In the inaugural 2008 event, Vettel hustled his Toro Rosso to a creditable fifth place. In 2009, the Red Bulls and their sister, Toro Rosso cars, all struggled with brake wear problems. Vettel was the sole survivor, easing his almost brakeless Red Bull home in fourth as Lewis Hamilton celebrated victory.

Last year as Ferrari and Fernado Alonso dominated at Marina Bay, another cool, measured performance brought Vettel home in second place. This season Vettel has won on the street circuits at Melbourne, Monaco and Valencia. Oh yes, that Singapore win beckons.

In Monza, Vettel also showed he could raise his game when required. His overtaking move on Fernando Alonso in the opening stages of the Italian Grand Prix, certainly answered a few critics who had suggested that Vettel could only win from the front.

The Singapore Grand Prix should be a high-pressure thriller. Even if he wins, Vettel’s two closest contenders from Monza could still force the German to delay any championship celebrations.

If I were Vettel, I would order the champagne for Singapore, but keep it on ice. To clinch the title in Singapore, Vettel needs to win and for closest points rival Alonso to finish outside the top three. That might be a challenge.

Whatever the circumstances surrounding Alonso’s first win at Singapore in 2008, he drove the race superbly and last year too, his victory for Ferrari was a top-drawer performance. Last weekend in Monza also proved that, not for the first time this season, Alonso is capable of grabbing a podium place even when his car is second-best.

Then there is Jenson Button. Unlike team-mate Hamilton who bitterly bemoaned his being trapped behind the wonderfully determined Michael Schumacher in the early stages of the Italian race, Button kept his cool, snatched an opportunity and found his way past.

For much of the Italian Grand Prix, we had five world champions in the top five places. It is worth noting that at the chequered flag, Button was leading Vettel’s pursuit. His second place at Monza now puts him equal third with Mark Webber in the title chase. It proves to me that yet again, while Hamilton provides the fireworks in the McLaren team, Button provides quiet, self-assured class.

Therefore it is no surprise that Button is now Formula One’s hottest property. McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh told journalists at Monza that he has offered Jenson a £50 million contract to stay with McLaren to the end of his career.

To me, it makes good sense. As a driver, Button has provided a balance to the team to match the feisty Hamilton. As an ambassador too, Formula One has few equals and Button might play a future role in developing McLaren’s new line of road-going supercars.

But first, I just wonder whether he might spoil Sebastian’s championship celebrations in Singapore?

Steve Slater is an F1 race commentator on STAR Sports’ coverage of the Formula One.