Lewis Hamilton is convinced Sebastian Vettel can go on to equal one of Formula One’s all-time great records.
Vettel’s total domination of the second half of the current campaign continued on Sunday with his tactical win in the Japanese Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old German has now won five races in a row, setting a personal best record, and moving himself within touching distance of a fourth consecutive world title.
Given the formidable form of Red Bull and Vettel, it is possible he could take the chequered flag in the final four races in India, Abu Dhabi, the United States and Brazil.
If Vettel can pull off such a feat he would match the record mark of nine straight wins set by Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari, spanning the end of the 1952 season and the start of 1953.
Not even Michael Schumacher, given all the records he established for himself throughout his time in F1 which includes seven championships, could come close to Ascari, with seven wins his best run.
Asked whether Vettel could win the last four, Hamilton replied: “If he doesn’t have any reliability issues, most likely. He’s just walking it.”
The sentiment was obvious that Vettel is in a league of his own at present and that a record-equalling run is on. The same message came from Lotus, despite the fact they appear to be Red Bull’s closest rivals on track at present.
Romain Grosjean certainly gave Vettel a run for his money at Suzuka, leading for 26 of the opening 28 laps, only for Red Bull’s superior strategy to pay dividends.
Grosjean is still searching for his first victory in F1 as he had to settle for third behind a Red Bull one-two.
Lotus team principal Eric Boullier, when asked which of the final races offered up the best chance to beat Red Bull, said: “Winter testing!”
Boullier added: “They are far too fast. Their pace is too far ahead. We could benefit from a driver mistake or reliability issue, but nothing else.”
Hamilton, forced to retire his Mercedes for the first time this year with floor damage sustained following a lap-one puncture, also does not feel a further win is possible this season.