Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel won a record eighth successive race when he triumphed in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.
The German Red Bull driver beat Michael Schumacher’s previous record of seven wins in a row set in 2004.
France’s Romain Grosjean, in a Lotus, was second with Red Bull’s Mark Webber of Australia taking third for his 40th career podium.
Vettel’s win was not only his eighth in a row, but also his 12th of the season and the 38th from just 119 races.
It was also his first in America leaving only the Hungarian GP as his only unconquered event.
Asked by 1978 world champion Mario Andretti to explain his secret for success, Vettel admitted: “I don’t know how I do it, if I’m honest.
“It’s impossible to know what to say, but I want to say thanks to the crowd. It’s unbelievable to have more than 100,000 here on Sunday in only our second year. The city is going crazy.
“The car was fantastic. It was a bit tight at the start, Romain had a good start and I didn’t know if it would be enough.
“We had good pace though and could control the gaps for eight wins in a row. My debut was in 2007 in Indianapolis so, to come back last year, podium, and win today – it’s fantastic.”
Starting from pole, the 26-year-old German controlled the race from lights to flag with a consummate demonstration of skill and speed in his equally dominant Red Bull.
If he wins Sunday’s year-ender in Brazil, he will equal Schumacher’s 2004 record of 13 in a season with Ferrari.
It was in that series that Schumacher reeled off his then record of seven straight wins as he delivered his seventh and final drivers’ title.
That remains another statistical target for Vettel.
Grosjean followed him home, 6.284 seconds adrift, equalling his best result.
“It was a good race for me,” he said.
“I had a good start and I got past Mark and almost caught Seb. The car worked well and I’m very proud to represent Lotus.”
Retirement-bound Australian Mark Webber, who will be sportscar racing with Porsche next year, said: “I think pole was very important yesterday and it probably cost me a better result today.
“I should have qualified better and it was difficult to be in a good position on turn one from there. We all wanted to be on the outside.”
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Mercedes ahead of Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber and Sergio Perez of McLaren.
Finn Valtteri Bottas came eighth for Williams, his first points-scoring finish which tripled their season total, ahead of Nico Rosberg in the second Mercedes and 10th-placed Jenson Button in the second McLaren.
Button, in his 246th race, equalled David Coulthard’s British record for GP starts, a former Red Bull teammate of Webber’s.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso finished 11th.
