F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Vettel equals Schumacher's tally of seven wins in a row

Red Bull's four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday to chalk up his seventh successive victory and equal the longest winning streak in the modern era of Formula One.

The German simply blew away his rivals under the Yas Marina floodlights, taking the chequered flag a massive 30.8 seconds ahead of second-placed team mate Mark Webber after leading every lap of the day-night race.

The 26-year-old German has now won 11 races this season, 37 in his career, and his seventh success in a row equalled the single-season tally racked up by fellow German Michael Schumacher in 2004.

The all-time record of nine was set by Italian Alberto Ascari, although that was over two seasons in 1952-53, and nobody would bet against Vettel matching that feat before the year is out with races in Austin, Texas, and Brazil to come.

"I remember when I was a small kid watching Formula One and Michael was with Ferrari and dominating...if you look back, you feel like he won every second race.

"To equal some of the stuff that they managed to achieve is very, very special."

Vettel had already clinched his fourth world title in a row in India last weekend, becoming the sport's youngest quadruple champion at the age of 26. Red Bull wrapped up their fourth consecutive constructors' crown at the same race.

This was his second win in Abu Dhabi producing a flawless drive after grabbing the lead from his Red Bull team mate Webber who started on pole position.

To celebrate, Vettel pulled over on his slowing down lap and performed more of the smoking 'donuts' that landed him in trouble last weekend in India where he captured his fourth successive championship.

"Just bring the car home into the garage," race engineer Guillaume 'Rocky' Rocquelin told him, probably knowing already the futility of his words.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know what I'm doing," replied Vettel, echoing the famous words of Kimi Raikkonen on his way to victory in Abu Dhabi last year in response to unwanted advice from his Lotus team.

"You can pay the fine on that one," said team principal Christian Horner.

Red Bull were fined 25,000 euros ($34,500) for failing to instruct Vettel to return directly and park his car in the pit lane in India.

SPLENDID ISOLATION

Watched by his parents, Vettel led every lap of the Abu Dhabi race, beating pole-sitter Webber into the first corner and disappearing into the night.

So dominant was the German that the television cameras soon tired of following him in his splendid isolation, focusing instead on the battles being waged behind him in the hope of extracting some drama from a race with only one outcome.

Germany's Nico Rosberg was third for Mercedes, 33.6 seconds behind, with Frenchman Romain Grosjean ending a run of three podium finishes with fourth place.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, crossing the finish line more than a minute after Vettel, came fifth although the Spaniard was under investigation for allegedly gaining an advantage by breaching the track limits while overtaking.

Stewards decided to take no further action, ruling that the Spaniard had no choice in his actions.

Britain's Paul Di Resta took sixth for Force India, ahead of compatriot Lewis Hamilton - whose Mercedes mechanics raced against the lock to resolve a brake problem on the grid before the start - and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

The points allowed Mercedes to pull further clear of Ferrari in second place in a constructors' championship already won by Red Bull for the fourth year in a row. Mercedes have 334 to Ferrari's 323 and Lotus's 297.

Mexican Sergio Perez handed McLaren some points with ninth place and Germany's Adrian Sutil completed the points finishers with 10th for Force India.

Raikkonen had long since left the circuit by then, having retired at the first corner after a collision with a Caterham.

The Ferrari-bound Finn, who complained on Friday that he had not been paid by his team, started at the back of the grid after his car failed a post-qualifying inspection.

"That was a champions drive," said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. "Wahoooooo," replied Vettel after his seventh successive Grand Prix win this season..

Vettel performed a few 'donut' spins in celebration of his 11th win of the season as the fireworks lit the Yas Marina Circuit.

He was fined for performing this after winning the championship in India last Sunday.

"It's not often you get to drive a car like this. I love you guys, thanks you," said Vettel on the Team Radio.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso who will be investigated for an incident set the fastest lap of 1:43.434 to finish fith but all eyes were on Vettel who won the inaugural race in Abu Dhabi.

""It's incredible, thanks to all the fans - the atmosphere was fantastic. To get so much support and so much for Red Bull. The car was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. It felt like I was flying some times," Vettel said of his victory speaking on the podium.

"I have spent most of my life racing in front of them (on his parents who were there to watch) as a kid, the cars are a bit bigger now but I am so pleased they are here to see me today. They taught me lots of good things and one day I want to pass that on to my children if i have them," he added.

Although conceding pole position to Webber, he never looked back once he was in front blitzing the field as expected with a powerful ease.

It was Vettel's 37th career victory and Red Bull's third one-two of the season.

"In the first stint I was just not strong enough. Seb was in another category out in front," said Webber.

"I'm happy, the aim for the weekend was to be best of the rest. Second place would have been the perfect result. If everyone in the factory can see we built the second-fastest car that's a real boost," said Rosberg.

Lap 55: Vettel takes the chequered flag with an interval of 30.8 seconds from his Red Bull team mate Webber and Mercedes' Rosberg.

Lap 54: Vettel has set the fastest lap of the race of 1:44.334 while Grosjean is breathing down Rosberg as the battle for podium instensifies.

Lap 53: Grosjean has closed the gap on Rosberg to 2.5 seconds.

Lap 52: Alonso will be investigated after the race for exceeding track limits passing Vergne.

Lap 51: Just 2.6 seconds between Rosberg and Grosjean.

Lap 50: It's a battle between Webber, Rosberg and Grosjean with Vettel way ahead of the field.

Lap 49: Grosjean and Alonso are setting fastest laps.

Lap 48: A new fastest lap of 1:44.451 for Grosjean.

Lap 49: Ferrari's Alonso has set a new fast lap of 1:44.660.

Lap 47: Grosjean closes to 3.8 second behind Rosberg.

Lap 45: Alonso pits from fifth and rejoins in seventh alongside Vergne almost having a contact.

Lap 44: Rosberg is closing the gap on Webber.

Lap 43: Vettel leads third-placed Rosberg by 37 seconds.

Lap 42: Vettel leads Webber by 32 seconds.

Lap 41: Rosberg is four seconds behind Webber and 6.3 seconds ahead of Grosjean.

Lap 40: Alonso jumps to fifth as Massa pits and rejoins in eighth, one place behind Hamilton. .

Lap 39: Grosjean also pits but rejoins ahead of Massa and Alonso but behind Webber and Rosberg.

Lap 38: Vettel has gone in for his second pit stop and rejoins to lead the field.

Lap 37: Vettel increases his lead to an incredible 40 seconds and can easily take top spot after pitting.
 
Lap 36: Ferrari team mates Massa and Alonso in a battle for fifth place.

Lap 34: Romain Grosjean promoted ot second after Webber and Rosberg pit to rejoin in third and fourth.

Lap 33: A drive-through penalty for Hulkenberg for an unsafe release.

Lap 31: Vettel does the fastest lap of the race of 1:45.968, a full second clear of Webber. He's told over the radio "Don't abuse the tyres".

Lap 30: Vettel leads Webber by more than 30 seconds. Hulkenberg is under investigation for an unsafe release in the pits.

Lap 29: Alonso who snatches seventh place from Sutil who can do little to fend off the Spaniard.

Lap 28: Hamilton uses the DRS to finally get past Sutil for sixth place.

Lap 27: Massa is up to fifth place and Alonso eighth with Hamilton still yet to clear Sutil.

Lap 26: Sebastian Vettel leads from Mark Webber, with Nico Rosberg third and Romain Grosjean fourth at the halfway stage.

Lap 25: Vettel has increasing the gap to over 28 seconds from Webber.

Lap 22: Vettel leads his Red Bull team mate and Webber by 27.2 seconds with the race not having reached the halfway stage.

Lap 21: Webber attacks Rosberg for third on the exit of Turn 7 and then goes around the outside into Turn 11 to take the place.

Lap 20: Vettel has got wings once again leading Paul di Resta by 23.6 second with Rosberg and Webber closing in on the Force India driver.

Lap 19: Hamilton is being frustrated by Gutierrez before the Sauber driver pits while Hulkenberg has caught up.

Massa pits and rejoins in between Hamilton and Hulkenberg.

Lap 18: Alonso pits from third place to put on the medium tyres and rejoins in 13th place.

Lap 17: Red Bull's Vettel sets the fastest lap of the race of 1:46.0 with Button doing the next best of 1:47.7.

Lap 16: Vettel leads Rosberg by 16.6 seconds after the pit stops.

Lap 15: Vettel rejoins after a quick pit stop and regains the lead comfortably, 6.6 seconds ahead of Massa, who has yet to stop.

Lap 14: Vettel pits and Raikkonen is seen driving out of Yas Marina Circuit.

Lap 13: Vettel is flying leading Massa b 26.3 seconds though both are yet to pit.

Lap 12: Four-time champion Vettel is going along his merry way enjoying a 24-second lead from Massa and Alonso.

Lap 11: Nico Rosberg pit from second and rejoin in sixth place. Ferrari duo Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso are in second and third place.

Lap 10: Webber passes Gutierrez into Turn Eight for ninth place.

Lap 9: Webber and Grosjean pit together, with both changing to a set of medium tyres.

Lap 8: Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton pits from fifth place, taking on a set of medium tyres and rejoins in 12th.

Lap 7: Vettel is now 5.5 seonds clear. Rosberg is comfortably quicker than Webber.

Lap 6: Vettel is blitzing clear of the field opening up a 4.7 second gap over Rosberg while Webber radios in "What's wrong with the KERS?".

Lap 5: Alonso is stuck behind his Ferrari team-mate Massa.

Lap 3: The yellow flags are still out as Raikkonen's car is still being removed.

Lap 2: Button is the first to pit. He is struggling with damage to his front wing.

Lap 1: Vettel snatches the lead from pole-sitter Webber who has been pushed to third by Rosberg while Raikkonen's troubles continues as he stops parking his car down the side of the track.

The 22 cars are off on the formation lap and the majority of the cars will start on soft tyres.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton thanked his team on the radio for getting the car ready in time for the race after suffering mechanical failure during qualifying.

Few minutes away from the formation lap followed by 55 racing laps of this 5.554km 21-turn corner twilight race in Abu Dhabi.

The air temperature has dropped to 32.

The safety car is ready to lead the 22 cars out on the formation lap.

Quadruple champion Sebastian Vettel is eyeing his eyeing his 11th race win of the season despite having wrapped up the title in India last Sunday.

"I am looking forward to the race," said the Red Bull driver. "It's not that far to the first corner so I will hope for a good start and hopefully overtake Mark straight away. But we have 55 laps so plenty of time if not."

There is an air of expectation with less than 10 minutes to go for the start with the tension on Webber visible as he squats on the side.

The fly past by Etihad Airways, sponsors of the 17th round of the Formula One Championship, is now taking place.

Pit lane has been closed for the grid formation with pole-sitter Webber being wheeled in .

"The sun's a bit low but we're all ready to go. The car is feeling good so we'll just see how the options go on the first few laps and take it from there but all good," said Webber speaking to David Coulthard.

With less than 20 minutes to go the atmosphere at the Yas Circuit is sizzling, not just in terms of the brisk sunshine and hot tarmac, but the crowd has warmed up nicely and the initial track round by the drivers has set the mood perfectly.

Championship won or not, the drivers are here to race and there is a feeling of 'going all out' that was palpable in the paddock earlier in the afternoon.

When there is no title at stake there is only personal glory and that can make the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 2013 really special.

The pit lane has been open and drivers are warming up with track temperatures recorded at 38 degrees.

Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus will start from the back of the grid in the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from the back of the grid at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.

Last year's winner in Abu Dhabi failed a post-qualifying a front floor deflection test.

"It's a shame. Very unfortunate," said the Finn during the drivers' parade.

His participation was also in the balance after he threatened to boycott the remaining races over unpaid wages.

Australian Mark Webber put Red Bull on pole position for the twilight race in a front row sweep with quadruple world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Mercedes filled the second row at the Yas Marina circuit, with Germany's Nico Rosberg qualifying third and Britain's 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth despite spinning off on his final lap.

"I want to get on the podium," said former world champion Hamilton.

GRID POSITIONS

1) Mark Webber
2) Sebastian Vettel
3) Nico Rosberg
4) Lewis Hamilton
5) Nico Hulkenberg
6) Romain Grosjean
7) Felipe Massa
8) Sergio Perez
9) Daniel Ricciardo
10) Fernando Alonso
11) Paul Di Resta
12) Jenson Button
13) Jean-Eric Vergne
14) Pastor Maldonado
15) Valtteri Bottas
16) Esteban Gutierrez
17) Adrian Sutil
18) Giedo Van Der Garde
19) Charles Pic
20) Max Chilton
21) Jules Bianchi
22) Kimi Raikkonen

Mexican Sergio Perez looks set to stay at McLaren alongside Jenson Button next season after the Formula One team said they were close to confirming their 2014 lineup.

"When will we make our driver announcement? I expect we will be making it quite shortly," team principal Martin Whitmarsh told reporters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Button and Perez alongside.

Formula One races in Mexico and New Jersey are unlikely to happen next year, the sport's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters on Sunday.

Both events were on a 22-race calendar published in September but the 83-year-old, speaking at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, doubted they would stay on a final version due to be approved by the governing body next month.

"I would doubt whether it's going to happen," the British billionaire said when asked about New Jersey whose debut has already been postponed once.

That June 1 race is listed as part of a 'triple header' on successive weekends in between Monaco and Canada.

"It's not definite that it will or won't (go ahead) but I doubt that it does," said Ecclestone.

Mexico, whose race is scheduled for November 16 as the penultimate round of the season at Mexico City's Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, also has an asterisk against it on the provisional calendar.

"Definitely not," said Ecclestone before correcting himself: "Probably not".

Formula One has never had more than 20 races in a season, with this year's calendar running to 19 rounds.

If Mexico and New Jersey fail to make the final version the main novelties will be Austria - returning in June after a decade off the calendar - and a new race in Russia's Winter Olympic venue Sochi in October.

India has been dropped for 2014 and South Korea's race remains doubtful with the local organisers seeking a contract renegotiation for the loss-making event.

Mexico last hosted Formula One in 1992 but recent media reports have suggested the time frame is too tight to make the necessary improvements to the outdated facilities and a postponement to 2015 looks more realistic.

New Jersey, whose 'Grand Prix of the Americas' would have been the second US race on the calendar along with Austin, Texas, and held against a backdrop of New York's Manhattan skyscrapers, has struggled with finances.

It was due to make its debut last year but had to be postponed. It was absent from a draft calendar circulated to teams earlier in the year and then reinstated despite considerable scepticism in the paddock.

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