Sebastian Vettel entered the third corner on the opening lap of the Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix locking up right front tyre while trying to break free of the chasing Mercedes AMG F1 cars of Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and the Ferrari of Felipe Massa.
He ended the race smoking his tyres in furious burnouts on the start finish straight as he crossed the line victorious at the Indian Grand Prix and sealed a fourth consecutive F1 title with three races still left in the season. As Vettel climbed out of the car to cheer with the crowd and head to the podium, there was a lot to take stock of in what wasn't a particularly straightforward race considering the last two F1 races held at the Buddh International Circuit at Greater Noida.
Given that the soft compound Pirelli tyres were not tipped to last for very long, Vettel decided to ditch them early and pit within on the second lap itself. The decision put the four-time F1 champion down the bottom end of the grid with the likes of Marussia F1 cars but with the longer lasting hard compound tyres.
After Hamilton's oversteery moment into turn three, Massa was able to get past and create the novel - for Indian F1 fans at least - sight of a Ferrari leading two Mercedes AMG F1 cars.
Vettel's Red Bull Racing teammate Mark Webber, who started on the harder, medium compound Pirellis was able to outlast the initial lead trio before slotting into the lead ahead of McLaren's Sergio Perez when Massa, Rosberg and Hamilton dived into the pits.
Out of sight to most, Romain Grosjean of Lotus F1, who has endured a horrid qualifying session to start 17th was making up ground too and kept moving up the grid. "We did not have a very good start," said Grosjean. "I lost a lot of time behind Gutierrez who was being very defensive."
At the front though, Vettel who had made his way through the grid started to threaten Perez for second.
After eventually passing him, Vettel set off after the Australian and eventually passed him for the lead.
If the Australian had plans to put up any kind of a fight to the youngest ever four-time F1 champion, they went up in smoke, literally, when his RB9's alternator failed.
With 20 laps left, there was a hint of uncertainty as Raikkonen of Lotus F1 held station behind Vettel as some wondered if he would stick to just doing one stop instead of heading in for a second.
However, as the Finn dived into the pits, the result became all but certain.
At the end of the 60 lap race, doubts about the future of F1 in India were put aside temporarily as the enormity of Vettel's achievement hit home.
Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher are the only other drivers who have won four F1 titles since the world championship started in 1950. Neither one of them were anywhere near as young as Vettel when they sealed their fourth crown.
"To join people like that is very difficult for me to put into perspective," said Vettel "I'm way too young, and may understand one day when I'm old and when nobody cares anymore although I'll care. But it's difficult to find words for something that no one can take away from you."
2013 INDIAN GRAND PRIX FULL CLASSIFICATION (60 laps of 5.125km circuit)
1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1hr.31:12.187
2) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG F1) +29.823
3) Romain Grosjean (Lotus F1) +39.892
4) Felipe Massa (Ferrari) +41.692
5) Sergio Perez (McLaren) +43.829
6) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG F1) +52.475
7) Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus F1) +67.988
8) Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India) +72.868
9) Adrian Sutil (Sahara Force India) +74.734
10) Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) +76.237
11) Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) +78.297
12) Pastor Maldonado (Williams F1) +78.951
13) Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) +1 lap
14) Jenson Button (McLaren) +1 lap
15) Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber F1) +1 lap
16) Valteri Bottas (Williams F1) +1 lap
17) Max Chilton (Marussia F1) +2 laps
18) Jules Bianchi (Marussia F1) +2 laps
19) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber F1) DNF
NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS
Mark Webber (Red Bull) 39 laps
Charles Pic (Caterham) 35 laps
Giedo Van Der Garde (Caterham) 1 lap
FASTEST LAP
Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus F1) 1:27.679 - lap 60/60 (Avg. speed: 210.426 kmh)
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