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Vettel makes GP history with US win

AUSTIN, Texas - World champion Sebastian Vettel won a record eighth successive race when he triumphed in the 2013 United States Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver beat Michael Schumacher's previous record of seven wins in a row in the same season set in 2004.

Lotus’ Romain Grosjean was second with Red Bull's Mark Webber taking third. Vettel's win was not only his eighth in a row but also his 12th of the season and the 38th of just 119 races.

It was also his first in America leaving only the Hungarian Grand Prix as a venue where he has yet to triumph.

‘WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THESE DAYS BOYS’

Vettel said: "I am speechless, speechless. We have to remember these days boys, there is no guarantee they will last. We must enjoy it. I love this team. I love you. I am so proud of you all."

Starting from pole, Vettel controlled the race from lights to flag with a consummate demonstration of skill and speed at the wheel of his equally dominant Red Bull.

If he wins the year-ender in Brazil in November 2013, he will equal Schumacher's 2004 record of 13 in a season with Ferrari.

It was in that series that Schumacher reeled off his now-beaten record of seven straight wins as he delivered his seventh and final drivers' title success.

That remains another statistical landmark for Vettel to pass.

Grosjean followed him home, 6.284 seconds adrift, for Lotus, equalling his best result, with Vettel's team mate, retirement-bound Mark Webber, third, claiming his 40th career podium.

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and McLaren Sergio Perez.

William’s driver Valtteri Bottas delivered a superb eighth, his first points-scoring finish which tripled their season total, ahead of Nico Rosberg in the second Mercedes and 10th placed Briton Jenson Button in the second McLaren.

Button, in his 246th race, equalled the British record for Grand Prix starts held by David Coulthard, a former Red Bull team mate of Webber's.

2013 US GP race results:
1 Sebastian Vettel (Germany) RedBull  1:39:17.148
2 Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus  +00:06.284
3 Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull  00:08.396
4 Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 00:27.358
5 Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 00:29.592
6 Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Sauber  00:30.400
7 Sergio Perez (Mexico) McLaren 00:46.692
8 Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams  00:54.509
9 Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 00:59.141
10 Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 01:17.278
11 Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso  01:21.004
12 Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso  01:24.574
13 Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 01:26.914
14 Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Sauber  01:31.707
15 Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) Lotus  01:35.063
16 Paul Di Resta (Britain) Force India  01:36.853
17 Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams  1 lap
18 Jules Bianchi (France) Marussia - Cosworth 1 lap
19 Giedo van der Garde (Netherlands) Caterham  1 lap
20 Charles Pic (France) Caterham  1 lap
21 Max Chilton (Britain) Marussia - Cosworth 2 laps
Retired. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India  56 laps
Fastest Lap: Sebastian Vettel, 1:39.856, lap 54.

Qualifying
Third practice
Second practice
First practice

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 US GP weekend





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