It began as a subdued week for the 2013 Airtel India Grandprix over rumours of a low turnout, no Indian Grand Prix in 2014 next and a legal battle with the State government. However, none of that mattered as at the end of 60 laps on Sunday evening as Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel won the race (sixth in a row) and wrapped up his fourth consecutive title. His closest title rival Fernando Alonso dropped from eighth place to 16th after a first lap incident with Mark Webber and ultimately could not mount a challenge to keep the title race alive.
He was followed in second place by the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and the Lotus Renault of Romain Grosjean. A hard charging Felipe Massa took fourth in his Ferrari after rocketing to second by the end of the second turn and then leading the race for about 10 laps in the middle. Sergio Perez took fifth ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonnen, the latter having dropped off the pace by the end of the race.
The final point’s finishers were the Force India’s Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil in eighth and ninth ahead of Red Bull Racing Renault bound Daniel Ricciardo in 10th place. Sutil almost looked set to get on the podium after going with a one stop strategy but ultimately the strategy did not work in his favour. Retirees included mark Webber, Nico Hulkenberg and the Caterham duo of Charles Pic and Gideo Van der Grade.
Sebastian Vettel joins many greats like Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and fellow German Michael Schumacher in an exclusive section in the multiple world champions club. His achievements also include taking the title of the youngest four times world champion. On a lighter note at the end of the race Vettel performed his cooling down lap and then did a series of doughnuts on the start finish line to celebrate the occasion.
Red Bull has also taken the 2013 constructors world championship after scoring 470 points over the course of the season. Second place in the championship is still open and is expected to be a closely fought battle between Mercedes and Ferrari who leave India just four points apart.
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