Niki Lauda has backed Ferna🦋ndo Alonso to win the 2012 F1 title, stating that the Ferrari man can only be beaten if he elects to 'stop🐭 racing'.

A third place finish in Singa🐼pore means the Spaniard sits 29 points clear of Sebastian Vettel with six races remaining, and remains the man to beat on the back of his eighth 😼podium of the year.

While numerous drivers - such as Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton - retain hopes of beating Alonso to the crown, Lauda said he felt the Spaniard would be difficult to beat having shown himself to be a figure who epitomises what a champion should be.

"He is making all the right mov▨es," the Austrian told the official F1 website. "He is fast and he is getting the car over the finish 👍line. He is aggressive when needed. He is Mr Right, right now.

"The big question is whether Alonso will stop racing. (laughs) If so, then the others might get into a position where they can catch up. But why should he stop? I say thatꦑ 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 dr♚amatically reduced.

"[Alonso] will score the most points. He will be champion if he♍ carries on like he has done up until now. Why sho💖uld he change?"