ABU DHABI, Nov 3: Red Bull’s four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday to chalk up his seventh successive victory and equal the longest winning streak in the modern era of Formula One.

The German simply blew away his rivals under the Yas Marina floodlights, taking the chequered flag a massive 30.8 seconds ahead of second-placed team mate Mark Webber after leading every lap of the day-night race. Germany’s Nico Rosberg was third for Mercedes.

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean was fourth and two-time former champion Fernando Alonso finished fifth — although stewards were investigating the Spaniard for a passing move on Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne late on.

Vettel had already clinched his fourth world title in a row in India last weekend, becoming the sport’s youngest quadruple champion at the age of 26. Red Bull wrapped up their fourth consecutive constructors’ crown at the same race.

Starting from second on the grid, Vettel overtook Webber on the first turn and was untroubled after that.

Vettel’s win drew him level with compatriot Michael Schumacher’s mark of seven successive wins (2004) and should he win the last two races of the season he will equal the overall record of nine held by Alberto Ascari (1952/53).

The German, who also equalled his personal record set in 2011 of 11 race wins in a season, can also equal Schumacher’s overall record of 13 wins in a campaign if he lands the final two races of the season.

“Yes, yes!” screamed Vettel after crossing the line. “Thank-you guys. It’s not often you get to drive a car like this. I love you guys, thanks you.”

Webber, who had started from pole position, endured a typically incident-filled contest on his way to second ahead of Rosberg.

Alonso, who had started 10th for Ferrari, came home in fifth position and recorded the fastest lap ahead of Briton Paul Di Resta of Force India.

Briton Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was seventh, Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari eighth, Mexican Sergio Perez of McLaren ninth and German Adrian Sutil of Force India 10th.

Results:

1. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Red Bull-Renault 1:38:06.106; 2. Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull-Renault +00:30.829; 3. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 00:33.650; 4. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus-Renault 00:34.802; 5. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 01:07.181; 6. Paul Di Resta (Britain) Force India-Mercedes 01:18.174; 7. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 01:19.267; 8. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 01:22.886; 9. Sergio Perez (Mexico) McLaren 01:31.198; 10. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India-Mercedes 01:33.257; 11. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams-Renault 01:35.989; 12. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 01:43.767; 13. Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Sauber-Ferrari 01:44.295; 14. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Sauber-Ferrari 1 lap; 15. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Renault 1 lap; 16. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1 lap; 17. Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1 lap; 18. Giedo van der Garde (Netherlands) Caterham-Renault 1 lap; 19. Charles Pic (France) Caterham-Renault 1 lap; 20. Jules Bianchi (France) Marussia-Cosworth 2 laps; 21. Max Chilton (Britain) Marussia-Cosworth 2 laps.

Retired: Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Lotus-Renault 55 laps.

Fastest lap: Fernando Alonso, 1:43.434, lap 55.—Agencies