With Sebastian Vettel’s fourth successive Formula One title now just a formality, the question is whether the Red Bull driver can go on to match a record that has stood for 60 years.
The 26-year-old should become the sport’s youngest quadruple champion in India a week on Sunday with the German 90 points clear of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, the only man still in contention, and four races remaining.
After winning Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, Vettel needs only to finish fifth at the Buddh Circuit to be sure of the title and will not need to score if Alonso fails to finish first or second.
The champion has won the last five races and is on track to close out the season with nine successive victories, a feat only one driver has ever managed — Italian Alberto Ascari with Ferrari in 1952-53.
Red Bull principal Christian Horner said: “I don’t think any of us could have imagined he would have had this run. The way he’s driving is quite supreme.”
