1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Vettel nears a fourth title

September 22, 2013

Sebastian Vettel has won his seventh grand prix of the season under the Singapore spotlights, stretching his championship lead to 60 points. Vettel led the entire race, save for a hundred meters or so at the start.

https://p.dw.com/p/19lwM
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull racing lifts the trophy following his victory during the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2013 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

Germany's three-time world champion took another giant stride to his fourth consecutive title on Sunday, finishing more than half a minute clear of the field in Singapore.

The pole-sitter briefly lost the lead to Mercedes' Nico Rosberg at the first corner, but was able to retake the position by the third corner. From there, Vettel never relinquished first place.

Fernando Alonso climbed from seventh on the grid to finish second, 32 seconds adrift of the German championship leader. Alonso remains Vettel's closest challenger overall, but now sits 60 points adrift in the standings.

Future Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the podium, charging from 13th on the grid to third position despite complaints of back pain.

The Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton rolled in fourth and fifth, with Felipe Massa sixth in the second Ferrari. Germans Nico Hülkenberg and Adrian Sutil picked up points for Sauber and Force India in ninth and tenth places.

Vettel's Red Bull team lead the constructors' championship by 103 points, with Ferrari their closest challengers. Six races remain in the 2013 Formula One season, with the next race taking place in Yeongam, South Korea, on October 6.

msh/mz (AFP, Reuters)