Fernando Alonso has conceded the fight for the Formula One title is over after Sebastian Vettel's Japanese Grand Prix win.
Vettel's fourth win in five years at the Japanese Grand Prix gave him his fifth straight grand prix victory in the current campaign, a personal best.
Since the summer break the 26-year-old German has been unstoppable, and with a 90-point lead over Alonso with 100 to play for, there is now only one outcome as far as the Spaniard is concerned.
Vettel celebrates another Grand Prix win
"Even if Sebastian retired from all four remaining races, I would have to win all of them," said Alonso, who finished fourth and 45 seconds behind Vettel.
"So it's only a matter of time before he will be champion. We have different goals now.
"We will continue to try to do our best on Sundays, and when it is mathematically settled we will congratulate him."
At this rate, Vettel is on course to equal Alberto Ascari's all-time F1 record of nine consecutive race victories, set over the 1952 and 1953 seasons.