Double world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Korean Grand Prix in crushing fashion yesterday to help his Red Bull team retain the Formula One constructors’ title after a dominant season.
Just a week after cruising to third place in Japan, where Vettel confirmed himself as the 2011 drivers’ champion, the 24-year-old German was uncatchable as he drove to his 10th win this year, and 20th of his career.
“This is special for us all, for the whole team,” he said.
“It was not such an easy race, but we did it. After the drivers, the constructors’ – it’s fantastic.”
Vettel started second on the grid, but took the lead from Lewis Hamilton, of McLaren, on the opening lap to pull clear and produce a flawless drive to the chequered flag.
He came home in a winning time of one hour, 38 minutes and 1.994 seconds, 12.019 ahead of Hamilton, who drove a splendidly controlled defensive race to stay ahead of Vettel’s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber.
The Australian finished third, ensuring Red Bull clinched their second successive team title, ahead of Jenson Button in the second McLaren, and Fernando Alonso, of Ferrari.
“Fantastic Seb, well done, a great drive,” said Red Bull team chief Christian Horner.
“Mark, we have won the constructors – well done!”
“Yes, yes, yes and yes again,” screamed Vettel, the sport’s youngest double champion.
“Yes... 10 wins now!”
Vettel delivered a final flourish with the fastest lap of the race on his last circuit as the top five were separated by just 15 seconds.
Felipe Massa was sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of Jaime Alguersuari of Toro Rosso, Nico Rosberg of Mercedes, Sebastian Buemi of Toro Rosso and British rookie Paul di Resta, who grabbed a point for Force India team in 10th place.
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, 42, was forced into an early retirement after his Mercedes was damaged in a collision with Vitaly Petrov of Renault, for which the Russian apologised.
Vettel showed he has no intention of easing off as he bids to equal Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in a season.
“In terms of preparation it was not ideal because most of us were tipsy after Sunday night but we deserved that,” he said.
“But to come here and have a tough Friday and a tough Saturday morning, and to come back in qualifying and in the race was fantastic.”
Horner hailed the team’s “unrivalled” team spirit at this year’s championship.
“A second title is testimony to the dedication and commitment of the whole team.
“We’re going to enjoy this moment – it’s been a phenomenal period for the team,” he said.
Korean GP result
1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) - 1hr38min01.994sec
2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) at 12.019
3. Mark Webber (Red Bull) at 12.477
4. Jenson Button (McLaren) at 14.694
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) at 15.689
6. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) at 25.133
7. Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) at 49.538
8. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP) at 54.053
9. Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) at 1:02.762
10. Paul di Resta (Force India) at 1:08.602
11. Adrian Sutil (Force India) at 1:11.229
12. Rubens Barrichello (Williams F1) at 1:33.068
13. Bruno Senna (Lotus-Renault) at 1 lap
14. Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus) at 1 lap
15. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) at 1 lap
16. Sergio Perez (Sauber) at 1 lap
17. Jarno Trulli (Lotus) at 1 lap
18. Timo Glock (Virgin Racing) at 1 lap
19. Daniel Ricciardo (Hispania) at 1 lap
20. Jerome d’Ambrosio (Virgin Racing) at 1 lap
21. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Hispania) at 3 laps
Retired from race
Pastor Maldonado (Williams) - 30 laps
Vitaly Petrov (Renault) - 16 laps
Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) - 15 laps
Fastest lap
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) – 1:39.605
Next race
Grand Prix of India, October 30.
Overall standings
Drivers
1. Vettel (GER) 349, 2. Button (GBR) 222, 3. Alonso (ESP) 212, 4. Webber (AUS) 209, 5. Hamilton (GBR) 196, 6. Massa (BRA) 98, 7. Rosberg (GER) 67, 8. Schumacher (GER) 60, 9. Petrov (RUS) 36, 10. Heidfeld (GER) 34, 11. Sutil (GER) 28, 12. Kobayashi (JPN) 27, 13. Alguersuari (ESP) 22, 14. Di Resta (SCO) 21, 15. Buemi (SUI) 15, 16. Perez (MEX) 13, 17. Barrichello (BRA) 4, 18. Senna (BRA) 2, 19. Maldonado (VEN) 1.
Constructors
1. Red Bull 558 points, 2. McLaren 418, 3. Ferrari 310, 4. Mercedes GP 127, 5. Lotus-Renault 72, 6. Force India 49, 7. Sauber 40, 8. Toro Rosso 37, 9. Williams F1 5.