Sebastian Vettel won the inaugural Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix here today.
Racing for the Red Bull Racing-Renault team, Vettel took total control of the race right from start, after he had claimed pole position from Saturday's qualifying session.
The win at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) was Vettel's 11th win this year and puts him on course to equal the record for the most number of wins in one F1 season, a record currently held by Michael Schumacher from 2004.
The race track at the BIC had been complemented by most of the participating teams for the challenging corners and the width of the track, which were expected to contribute to an exciting race weekend.
However, Vettel proved to be too good for the rest of the competition and despite strong attempts by McLaren's Jenson Button, the champion managed to hold on to his lead easily throughout the 60-lap race. Vettel also set the fastest lap of the race — on the very last lap — for the third time this season.
Celebrities galore
A total of about 95,000 spectators are said to have witnessed the race from the stands. As many as 50,000 people are said to have been present for the qualifying session on Saturday. Celebrities and big names from the corporate sector in India and abroad were present at the race. Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan, actors and enthusiasts from abroad like Rowan Atkinson, business magnates like Richard Branson, CEOs like Carlos Ghosn of Renault-Nissan were among those who were present.
The winner's trophy was given away by Ms Mayawati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar waved the Checkered Flag.
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Jenson Button and Scuderia Ferrari's Fernando Alonso had podium finishes by coming in second and third respectively. Sahara Force India's Adrian Sutil and team mate Paul Di Resta were placed ninth and 13th respectively, in the team's home race. The team, however, earned points for the finishes recorded by the drivers.
Points tally
Vettel's win at BIC brings the world champion's points tally to 374 with Button on 240, Alonso on 227, Webber on 221 and Hamilton on 202 points. In the constructors' stakes, Red Bull have 595 points to McLaren's 442 and Ferrari's 325. Sahara Force India now stays on to sixth place with 51 points.
Speaking about his impressions of India, Vettel said that “India is a big country with a lot of people, but they are happy and enjoy life, which is what it's all about. So, even though people don't have a lot here, they are a lot richer in many ways and we can learn from that. Thanks a lot to all the people in India.”