I must win again to clinch world title - Mark Webber

Highlights - Japanese Grand Prix

Championship leader Mark Webber says he has to win one of the last three races if he is to clinch this year's world title after finishing second in Japan.

Sebastian Vettel led a Red Bull one-two at Suzuka to close to 14 points behind Webber and tie with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished third.

Though Webber did extend his lead by three points, he has not won in four races - a pattern he insists must stop.

"I need to win again in the future. I'm very confident I can do that," he said.

The three men have now opened up a significant-looking gap on the McLaren drivers, who are both more than a win off the lead for the first time all season.

Lewis Hamilton is 28 points adrift of Webber after finishing fifth at Suzuka, while defending champion Jenson Button - who finished one position ahead of his team-mate - is three points further behind.

Red Bull's Webber happy with solid second place

"All in all a good day for all of us [at Red Bull] and I am very happy with my position," added Webber.

"Two weeks ago it was Lewis [Hamilton struggling], then it was Fernando [Alonso].

"It [the championship scenario] is chopping and changing, but the most important thing is that the gap is going the right way.

"But reliability can still yet play a role, many things, lots of different circumstances. Obviously these guys have a bit less because they're a few behind, but in the end, [I'm] confident."

Alonso, who arrived in Suzuka after winning the previous two races, insists he still has a strong chance of winning the title.

"I still think that [three more] podium finishes will be enough [to win it]," he said.

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"On paper this was the perfect Red Bull track and we finished the weekend with three points lost to the leader of the championship, so we have to be happy.

"Of the 16 races of the championship, 15 were Red Bull circuits - and they won only seven.

"They did three times finishing first and second; and 12 times they didn't.

"So in the remaining three races it will be difficult for them to be one-two in every race, because something always happens.

Three podiums will win title - Alonso

"If something happens, we need to take the opportunity. If not, it will be hard because in terms of speed there is no doubt that the Red Bull car has been dominant in 2010."

Vettel, who led the race from lights to flag, would not be drawn into any predictions on how the championship would pan out.

"Winning is good for the points, obviously," he said. "If we do the same thing in the next three races we should be fine.

"It's obviously been a tough season for us, with a lot of ups and downs and not so trouble-free. But we're in a very good position."