Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has put his name in the history books after winning his fourth consecutive world title at the Indian Grand Prix.
In an incident-packed race, the German kept his cool and avoided any trouble, clinching the victory from pole position. The win was Vettel’s sixth in succession in an incredible season that could almost be described as perfect.
Should he win the remaining three races of the season, he would also equal Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 victories in a single year. Vettel is still six years younger than his compatriot, and therefore still has plenty of time to beat Schumacher’s other record of seven world titles.
Despite a triumphant season, Vettel has frequently been booed by supporters who have grown all too accustomed to the sight of the German on the podium. Many have also concluded that any of the other 21 drivers on the grid could have won the world championship with his Red Bull Racing car, which has been extremely reliable throughout the season.
However, with the Red Bull team behind him, Vettel has pulled off an astonishing feat that will remain in the record books for years to come.
Such has been his dominance this season that he arrived in Delhi only needing a fifth place finish to steer clear of second-place Fernando Alonso. The Ferrari driver had to finish in the top two to take the Championship to the penultimate race in Abu Dhabi, but his efforts were dashed after a collision in the first corner with Kimi Raikonnen which forced him to take an early pit-stop.
With his race strategy heavily compromised, Alonso was powerless to preventVettel from clinching victory.
The joy was clear to see from the F1 champion, who celebrated in flamboyant style with several smoke-spewing doughnuts along the pit straight. Red Bull were consequently fined £25,000 by GP officials, but the stewards did state that the “special circumstances” of the occasion had been taken in to account in the ruling.
Although the sport is likely to become more competitive next season with the introduction of new regulations, Vettel’s achievements should never be underestimated; only three other drivers have matched his four World Championship titles.
At the age of just 26, in the best team in F1, the sky is truly the limit for F1’s newest legend.
Sam Oliver
Image courtesy of ESPN F1