Sebastian Vettel Wins US Grand Prix - Is F1 Becoming More Boring Than Ever?

Another Vettel Win... How Boring Is Formula 1?

Sebastian Vettel set a new Formula One record for most successive wins in a single season, but the sport is in danger of becoming more tedious than the Michael Schumacher era.

For the eighth straight time Vettel took the chequered flag, doing so with consummate ease in front of a buzzing crowd at the United States Grand Prix.

Vettel has now surpassed Michael Schumacher's feat of seven in a row in one campaign, and next week in Brazil can equal Alberto Ascari's all-time mark of nine consecutive wins set in 1952-53.

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Vettel won his eighth successive Grand Prix in Texas on Sunday

Vettel has now won 12 of the year's 18 Grand Prix and could end the year with 13 from 19 in Brazil this weekend.

Following the win, and ahead of producing another beautiful ring of doughnuts for the third straight race in his Red Bull by way of celebration, Vettel delivered a poignant message over the team radio.

Told he was a record-breaker again by team principal Christian Horner, Vettel initially said: "I'm speechless!"

But as a man not prone to being silent for too long, Vettel added: "We have to remember these days. There's no guarantee they will be forever.

"We have incredible team spirit. I'm so proud of you guys. I love you."

Vettel ultimately cruised to the line, beating Lotus' Romain Grosjean by 6.2secs, with Mark Webber settling for third as a late shot to get by the Frenchman failed as his Pirelli tyres started to fall away.

Vettel wins in Texas
F1 Grand Prix of USA - Race(01 of28)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany takes a sip of Jagermeister, a German liqueur, as he celebrates with his team after the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin,Texas. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany takes a sip of Jagermeister, a German liqueur, as he celebrates with his team after the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin,Texas. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel (C) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates in the paddock with Team Principal Christian Horner (L) and Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr Helmut Marko (R) and team mates after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of USA(05 of28)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. Vettel has won a record-setting eight consecutive races and clinched the 2013 F1 championship title. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull German driver Sebastian Vettel (C), his teammate Australian Mark Webber (R) and Lotus French driver Romain Grosjean (L) celebrate on the podium at the end of the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, Texas. Vettel won the race with Grosjean taking second place and Webber third. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Race winner Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with third placed Mark Webber (R) of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing following the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. Vettel has won a record-setting eight consecutive races and clinched the 2013 F1 championship title. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Race winner Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with third placed Mark Webber (R) of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing following the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. Vettel has won a record-setting eight consecutive races and clinched the 2013 F1 championship title. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull German driver Sebastian Vettel celebrates with his first place trophy at the end of the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, Texas. Vettel won the race with his teammate Australian Mark Webber finishing third and Lotus French driver Romain Grosjean in second place. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of USA - Race(17 of28)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of USA - Race(19 of28)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Race winner Sebastian Vettel (2nd right) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates with second placed Romain Grosjean (left) of France and Lotus, third placed Mark Webber (right) of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing and Matt Cadieux (2nd left) the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Chief Information Officer on the podium following the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull German driver Sebastian Vettel celebrates at the end of the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, Texas. Vettel won the race with his teammate Australian Mark Webber finishing third and Lotus French driver Romain Grosjean in second place. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Red Bull German driver Sebastian Vettel celebrates with his first place trophy at the end of the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, Texas. Vettel won the race with his teammate Australian Mark Webber finishing third and Lotus French driver Romain Grosjean in second place. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on November 17, 2013 in Austin, United States. Vettel has won a record-setting eight consecutive races and clinched the 2013 F1 championship title. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Following the three-week August holiday Vettel and Red Bull have been in a class of their own, aided in part by the change in rules due to come into force for 2014.

With significant resources required for the 1.6-litre turbo-charged V6 engines that replace the current 2.4-litre V8s, teams made a call to focus their money and ideas on next year's cars.

Red Bull, by their own admission, continued to develop this year's RB9 to the detriment of the RB10 as they were expecting far more of a challenge.