Sebastian Vettel equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of winning seven straight races in one season when he coasted to victory Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Vettel, who last week claimed a fourth successive Formula One title, sailed past Red Bull teammate Mark Webber before the first turn and dominated the 55-lap race.
He took the chequered flag more than 30 seconds ahead of Webber, with Nico Rosberg in a Mercedes third.
“That was a champions drive,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner over team radio.
Vettel celebrated by performing several “doughnut” spins, as he did after winning the championship last week in India, which will earn him a hefty fine.
Webber’s sluggish start from pole allowed Vettel to ease into the lead while Rosberg also took advantage to move second.
But Webber managed to get past the German on lap 20 to give Red Bull another one-two finish, with Vettel claiming his 11th win of the season.
Romain Grosjean in a Lotus was fourth, followed by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, Paul di Resta in a Force India and Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes.
The remaining top 10 positions were filled by Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Adrian Sutil (Force India) and Sergio Perez (McLaren).
Meanwhile Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen’s race from last place following disqualification after Saturday’s qualifying, ended almost immediately with a broken suspension after contact with a Caterham on turn one.
