Sebastian Vettel kept his undefeated streak at the Buddh International Circuit alive, claiming a dominant Indian Grand Prix victory to capture his sixth win in a row and fourth-straight World Driver’s Championship. His win also secured Red Bull’s fourth Constructor’s Championship in a row.
The 26-year-old German joins the likes of Alain Prost, Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher as the only driver with at least four championships. His streak of consecutives titles is eclipsed only by Schumacher, who recorded a record five during his legendary stint with Ferrari.
Vettel’s fourth title comes an impressive six years sooner than his German counterpart and overall championship-record holder.
Despite his strong form and pole sitting performance, Vettel’s victory on Sunday was anything but a guarantee, starting the race on the Pirelli soft tires rather than the medium compound – a major disadvantage at the Indian circuit.
On the softs, Vettel’s getaway at the green light kept him clear of the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, giving the Red Bull driver a 2.490 second advantage after just the first lap. Title contender Fernando Alonso was caught in a turn one incident with Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber, causing the Spaniard to pit early for a new Ferrari front wing and effectively eliminating his title challenge.
By lap three, Vettel was forced to pit for a fresh set of medium compounds, dropping him back to 19th, but his Red Bull climbed through the field; by lap 10 he was up to fifth, and on lap 13 he was up to third.
Even with one pit stop under his belt, Vettel closed in on the second spot and passed the McLaren of Sergio Perez on lap 21, bringing him to within 11 seconds of first-place Webber.
It appeared the Red Bulls would be dueling it out for a one-two finish, the two drivers trading the top spot through the mid-point of the race – but on lap 40, Webber was instructed by his team to shut his car off immediately to save the engine as a result of an alternator failure.
With that same issue threatening Vettel, he was instructed by Team Principal Christian Horner to stop using his KERS, water drinking and any non-essentials to save electrical power.
Under pressure from Rosberg and Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, who catapulted through the field after starting in 17th, Vettel was still able to extend his lead and hold on for victory unscathed, driving to a 27-second win for his 10th victory and sixth in a row this season.
His tally doubles his 2012 championship run, and with three races remaining, Vettel will be looking to beat his personal best of 11 wins and tie Schumacher’s 2004 record of 13.
“To join people like Prost, Fangio and Michael is unbelievable,” Vettel said. “I think this is one of the best days in my life so far. There are so many people that I have to thank; I've always tried to listen and learn and it's incredible to race some of the best drivers in the world.”
“To achieve four double World Championships is the culmination of an enormous amount of dedication and commitment from the whole team,” Horner said. “For Sebastian to have joined the illustrious names of Fangio, Prost and Schumacher is an incredible achievement, especially at such a young age and it’s a privilege to work with him. It’s an enormous day for the Team to have won its fourth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship.”
The victories will be short lived before the series prepares for next week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the 5.554-km, 21-turn Yas Marina Circuit. Vettel holds the record at that track with a 1:40.279 set in 2009.
