SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) — A relentless Sebastian Vettel completed the 2013 Formula One season on a record-breaking high yesterday when he led Mark Webber home in a commanding Red Bull one-two at a dramatic and emotional Brazilian Grand Prix.

For the 26-year-old German, it was his ninth successive victory since the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, his 13th of the season and the 39th of his career.

This meant he extended his own record of consecutive wins in a season, equalled Italian Alberto Ascari’s historic record of nine straight wins from 1952-1953 and also equalled Michael Schumacher’s total for one season, set with Ferrari in 2004.

Many fans may have hoped that four-time champion Vettel would slow down and allow Webber, 37, to finish his career with a 10th victory, but instead he maintained his brilliant unbeaten run to come home 10.452 seconds clear of his Australian team-mate.

Webber defied his emotions with a show of mature dignity in the closing laps.

It was Webber’s 42nd podium finish and came in his 215th and final race.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso took third for Ferrari as the Italian team did their best, but failed to snatch second place in the championship from Mercedes.

Alonso had already claimed second in the drivers’ title race behind Vettel.

Jenson Button, making a British record 247th start, finished fourth for McLaren ahead of Nico Rosberg of Mercedes, Sergio Perez in the second McLaren and Felipe Massa, who marked his final race with Ferrari by finishing seventh in front of his home fans.

Nico Hulkenberg, who is set to leave Sauber for a return to Force India, finished eighth ahead of luckless Lewis Hamilton, who suffered a collision, a puncture and a drive-through penalty in his Mercedes, and 10th place Daniel Ricciardo, in his final race for Toro Rosso before replacing Webber at Red Bull.