Vettel 'sad' his sensational season is over

The four-time world champion unsurprisingly signed off 2013 with yet another victory by taking the chequered flag at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

It was Vettel's ninth successive win, equalling the all-time mark first set by Alberto Ascari who won the last six grands prix of 1952 and the first three of 1953.

Vettel also matched Michael Schumacher's 2004 haul of 13 victories in a single campaign, a feat set nine years ago that no one believed would ever be equalled.

The 26-year-old, however, has been on a different planet since the summer break, with the Red Bull beneath him bulletproof and unbeatable.

Whether Vettel will be alone with an all-time mark of 10 successive wins come the end of the 2014 season-opening race in Australia in March remains to be seen.

Yesterday's race signalled the end of the V8 era as F1 heads into the unknown with the turbo-charged 1.6-litre V6 powerplants, and no one knows who will have the upper hand. In bringing the curtain down in style on this season, Vettel said: "I am quite sad the season is ending.

"The car has been phenomenal and has been getting better in every race."

With regard to his achievements this season, a humble Vettel added: "It's very difficult for me to realise now, and will be over the next couple of weeks, as to what we have achieved this season. In terms of the record (Ascari) you can't compare. It was a different time."