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Vettel wants neverending F1 story

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull wouldn't have minded having a few more races in the 2013 Formula 1 season.

Vettel was more dominant than ever on his way to a fourth consecutive F1 title through 2013, setting records and establishing himself as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
He won all nine final races to end the year and seemed ready to win just as many more had the season not ended.

UNSTOPPABLE

Sunday's win at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix was a perfect way to cap his impressive year. He matched Michael Schumacher's 2004 record of 13 wins in a season and equalled the nine consecutive wins of Alberto Ascari in 1952/53.

Vettel said: "I'm actually quite sad that this season has ended. I think the last couple of races, really since the northern summer break, to win every race is unbelievable. The car has been phenomenal, it just kept getting better."

Vettel won four of the first 10 races and was untouchable in the last nine, facing no challenge from the rest of the field. The last time a driver other than him won an F1 race was in July.

He broke Schumacher's 2004 mark of seven in a row at the US GP on November 24. At the 2013 Indian GP, the 26-year-old German became the youngest driver to win four World championships.

MORE TO COME

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "I don't think he can quite believe what he has achieved. He has been so dominant. And I have said it before, he will continue to improve and we probably haven't seen the best of him."

Vettel knows he has to give a lot of credit to Red Bull, which was in a class of its own compared to the other teams during the 2013 season. It easily won the Constructors' championship - also its fourth straight - by 236 points over Mercedes.

Vettel said: "All of us, the whole team, loves coming to work and giving it all we have. There's a great spirit and it's sad in a way that the year comes to an end, but that's how it is. I'm sure everyone's looking forward to a break to get the batteries charged and to look forward to 2014."

And considering that everything will be different in F1 for 2014 because of major engine changes, there is extra reason for Vettel and Red Bull to savour 2013 for as long as possible.

In addition to a new car in 2014, the team will have a new driver, Daniel Ricciardo replacing fellow Australian Mark Webber who left F1 after the Brazilian GP to join a Porsche sports car series.

Horner said: "What we' achieved in 2013 as a team is the result of working closer, working harder and working more effectively than any of the others. It ' a combination of a lot of hard work and an unbelievable performance by Sebastian (Vettel). He's driven with such consistency, such accuracy and such speed, so what he's achieved this year is outstanding. It has been an unbelievable year for him and for the team."

Vettel downplayed matching Ascari's record for most consecutive wins, saying his achievement can't be compared to a time when cars weren't nearly as reliable.

Vettel said: "It's a different type of record we got today. It's at a completely different time. In the 1950’s the races were much longer and there were a lot of things that were breaking down. His record still stands out a lot.

"So, as I see it, it's just a number, but I hope one day, when I've less hair and (I'm) chubby, then it's probably something nice to look back to."
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