Exclusive – Allen: Ferrari and McLaren will be closer to Red Bull next year

James Allen has told talkSPORT that we should expect a more exciting Formula 1 season in 2012 after Sebastian Vettel romped home to claim the Driver’s Championship with four races to go.

The Red Bull driver won the title for the second year running with a third place finish in Suzuka, making him the youngest double world champion in history at 24.

And Allen believes the dominance of Red Bull may be under threat as rivals Ferrari and McLaren prepare to improve their cars for next year.

“I think it will be a little tighter next year,” said Allen. “I think McLaren and Ferrari will be a bit closer [to Red Bull].

“Ferrari are already saying they’re going to be much more aggressive and much less conservative with their car next year and McLaren clearly have to make up the gap.

“It’s a fantastic time for Formula 1 with drivers of this quality and calibre all going toe-to-toe.

“Today the top four finished within eight seconds of each other. That says it all about the state of Formula 1 at the moment.”