Sebastian Vettel has broken the record for most successive victories in one Formula One season after dominating the United States Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Racing driver was only headed briefly during the pit stops as he cruised to his eighth success on the trot at the Circuit of Americas.
The success came on the back of wins in Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Korea, Japan, India and Abu Dhabi for the already-crowned world champion.
If he is triumphant in Brazil on Sunday in the final race of the season he will match Alberto Ascari’s record of nine victories in a row, the longest winning streak in F1 history, though that was split over the 1952 and 1953 seasons.
Vettel came home 6.2 seconds ahead of the Lotus of Romain Grosjean, with his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber completing the podium.
Of his record run, Vettel credited the mental strength of himself and Red Bull.
“It makes us very proud of that moment,” he said. “I think it is very difficult for all of us to realise what it means.
“One day people might look back and talk about our time and what we have done as a team. Everybody is happy to just turn up and give it everything.
“If there is one thing, that is the secret. Yes, the car has been mostly very reliable but it is the mindset we have, trying to give it everything we have, not miss a single step.”
Lewis Hamilton overcame tyre wear concerns on his Mercedes-GP to finish fourth, ahead of Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari and the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg.
Sergio Perez boosted his hopes of finding a drive for next season as he finished seventh for McLaren-Mercedes.
Valtteri Bottas scored the first points of his F1 career as he finished eighth for Williams, with Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button completing the top 10.
Adrian Sutil crashed out on the first lap in his Force India, bringing out the safety car for the opening four laps, but once racing resumed there was no stopping Vettel at the front.
