Vettel has that winning feeling

By Carsten Lappe Oct 30, 2011, 11:16 GMT

New Delhi - World champion Sebastian Vettel on Sunday kept that winning feeling with a victory in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

The German, who two races ago secured back-to-back titles, led from start to finish, beating McLaren's Jenson Button into second place.

Fernando Alonso finished the 17th of 19 season races third in his Ferrari, ahead of Mark Webber.

On lap 44, Vettel broke Nigel Mansell's record from 1992 of most laps led during a season, when Vettel finished his 693rd lap in front.

'It was a very good race for us,' he said.

'Button surprisingly closed in during the pit stops, we seemed to lose a bit there. However, all in all it was a very smooth race. The car was very well balanced and I felt confident on hard tyres at the end.'

He said that he did not want the season to end. 'It is really enjoyable to see that the team is still hungry for success and that we love what we all do.'

Vettel had no problems in winning the start and staying in front of his team-mate Webber, who was soon overtaken by Button.

The Briton said he had a fantastic start. 'After the disappointment of qualifying, I wanted to redeem myself.

'The start off the line didn't feel that good but I was able to get Fernando into turn one. I think he went a bit deep and I was in Mark's tow.

'He covered the inside but I had enough room to go around the outside by the fourth turn. I had Mark behind me for eight laps pushing me really, really hard - we both almost ran wide - but I was able to pull away as I think he had damaged his tyres a little bit.'

He said that he then just tried to hang onto Vettel, but did not have the pace to challenge him. 'But hopefully in the last races we can take that little step.'

By the end of the opening laps, the 24-year-old German managed to put some distance between himself and the chasing pack, but there was some action behind him as Webber tried - unsuccessfully - to move back into second place.

The Australian later also had to let Alonso past, while the Spaniard's team-mate Felipe Massa was involved in a battle with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who had been given a three-place grid penalty for ignoring a yellow flag warning during practice.

The Brazilian was given a drive-through penalty midway through the race after crashing into Hamilton, which forced the Briton into the pits for a new front wing.

Massa had to retire shortly afterwards as he broke his suspension after driving over a raised kerb - just as he had done during qualifying on Saturday.

As a result of the pit stop Hamilton, meanwhile, fell behind the two Mercedes' of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, who finished fifth and sixth respectively, leaving the McLaren driver in seventh.

Jaime Alguersuari in a Toro Rosso, Adrian Sutil in a Force India and Sauber's Sergio Perez completed the top ten.

Vettel won in a time of one hour 30 minutes and 35.002 seconds for an average speed of 203.513 km/h on the 5.125km Buddh International Circuit.

Vettel's 11th win of the season leaves him just two victories shy of equalizing Michael Schumacher's record of 13 season-victories of 2004.

The German is also just one race away from equalizing Nigel Mansell's record of 14 pole positions in one season.

Vettel now stands on 374 points, while Button is on 240. Alonso is a further 13 points behind, while Webber is on 221.

The next race is the penultimate race of the season in Abu Dahbi on November 13.