Vettel takes seventh-consecutive race victory in 2013

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has followed last weekend’s celebrations of securing his fourth consecutive Driver’s title with victory at the FIA Formula One 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, making it his seventh first place finish in row this season. The German driver was in control from the moment the race got underway, until he crossed the line to take the chequered flag as the winner.

Vettel’s team mate, Mark Webber pinched pole position for him yesterday and their qualifying positions swapped around, as soon as Vettel had the opportunity to pounce once the lights went out to mark the start of the race.

Webber failed to catch Vettel by the end of the proceedings and had to settle for second best in the end. Vettel’s victory meant that it was the 99th podium for the team in the sport and with Webber taking second place today, they achieved their 100th podium in style with a one-two finish.

Mercedes’ driver, Nico Rosberg completed the 55 lap marathon where he started, being third place behind the two Red Bull drivers.

Lotus Renault’s Romain Grosjean was the sole car flying the flag for the team, when Kimi Raikkonen retired from the race on the first lap at Turn two. Raikkonen’s weekend suddenly went from bad to worse when he was disqualified from yesterday’s qualifying, as his car failed the floor deflection test and he started from the back of the grid. It was reported that Raikkonen’s car ran into Caterham driver, Giedo van der Garde’s car which resulted in his swift exit from the race.

Grosjean on the other hand, made his way towards the front of the grid and ended the race in fourth place.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, managed to improve on his 11th place spot from qualifying yesterday. The Spaniard finished the race in fifth place, but was under investigation by the stewards on lap 46 for the purpose of track limits. It was later reported that the stewards would look into it further after the race. It has not yet been confirmed whether or not Alonso will receive a penalty.

Force India’s Paul Di Resta overcame his unfortunate recent run of results that have often ended in retirements from races. The Scotsman picked up some valuable Championship points with his sixth place finish.

Rosberg’s team mate, Lewis Hamilton seemed to keep out of the limelight through the majority of the race. The Englishman finished a few places behind the German driver to pick up seventh place for himself.

Alonso’s team mate, Felipe Massa may have out qualified him yesterday, but the Brazilian driver failed to match his pace today and completed the race in eighth place.

McLaren’s Sergio Perez shared a similar situation to Alonso, in which he out performed his team mate, Jenson Button in the race. Perez made it into a top 10 point scoring position as he crossed the line in ninth place. Button appeared to have a shaky start from 13th place, when he alerted the team of front wing damage to his car via the radio. It was then reported that he had a slight coming together with the back of Di Resta’s car on the first lap. Button moved up one place from his original qualifying spot to finish in 12th position.

Di Resta’s team mate, Adrian Sutil was the final driver to pick up some points at the end of the race as he claimed 10th position.

Aside from the investigation with Alonso, the stewards also took action on Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, who was issued with a drive through penalty on lap 34 for the purpose of an unsafe release from his pit box. The German driver narrowly missed a collision with Perez as the pair were leaving the pit lane.

The stewards’ third and final investigation concerned Sutil and Williams’ driver, Pastor Maldonado. The two drivers caught the attention of the stewards on lap 34 for the purpose of track limits. It was later reported that no further action would be taken with them.

With the exception of Raikkonen retiring from the race, the other 21 drivers in the field made the finish line. Button was joined outside of the top 10 with the likes of Maldonado and Hulkenberg as they fought over 11th to 21st place.

Despite the fact that both Championships have been decided in terms of the overall winners, Vettel is yet to yield to his closest rivals on the track. The drivers and teams now have two weeks to wait until their next challenge of the United States Grand Prix. It remains to be seen whether or not Vettel will once again be on the top step of the podium, or if one of the other drivers can pip him to the post.