Unstoppable Sebastian Vettel wins a record eighth straight race in the American Grand Prix

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel set a Formula 1 single-season record with his eighth consecutive victory, winning the United States Grand Prix with yet another dominating drive.

Starting from the pole position, Vettel got through the critical first turn with his trademark quick start and gave the field no chance to catch his Red Bull car.

Vettel charges into next weekend's season finale in Brazil with a chance to tie Michael Schumacher's record of 13 victories in a single season. Schumacher set the mark in 2004, and also won seven straight races that year.

Vettel also is closing on the overall record for consecutive victories of nine, set by Alberto Ascari over parts of the 1952 and '53 seasons.


As he's done twice before, Vettel spun his car through several doughnuts after the chequered flag, a move that has drawn fines from the sports' governing body.

Vettel hardly seemed to care, however, telling his crew over his radio, "We have to remember these days. I love you guys. We have an incredible team spirit. I'm so proud of you. I love you."

Vettel later appeared to wipe away tears while standing on the podium while listening to the German national anthem.

"I'm speechless," Vettel told his team over the radio after his first victory at the Circuit of the Americas after missing out last year.

"We have to remember these days. There is no guarantee they will last forever," he added, his victory coming a day after Red Bull team principal Christian Horner celebrated his 40th birthday.

Lotus' Romain Grosjean finished an impressive second, his best finish this year while Vettel's Red Bull teammate Mark Webber was third. For the 37-year-old Webber, next week will be his last race in F1 as he's leaving the series after 12 years, seven of them with Red Bull, a span that has featured some tense moments with teammate Vettel. Webber has nine career victories but none this year despite two starts from pole position and three more from the No. 2 position.