Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix: Vettel to kick-off celebrations at Yas Marina Circuit

Sebastian Vettel has allayed fears that the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be a dead race even after becoming the youngest ever four-time world champion.

Vettel clinched the Formula One title at the Indian GP on Sunday but the 26 year-old even put celebrations on hold with three races yet to be won.

The German is in no mood to let up as he returns to the scene of his greatest triumph four years ago where won the the inaugural race at Yas Marina Circuit in 2009 and sealed his first title a year later.

"We want to race, race the others as hard as possible," he told reporters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where he is chasing a seventh successive win to equal compatriot Michael Schumacher's 2004 seven in a row.

"If we have a chance, we want to win."

He scoffed at suggestions that he has nothing to gain in Abu Dhabi.

"We don't approach the weekend as if there is nothing to gain," Vettel said. "We love what we are doing and enjoy the challenge and that is why there is not even a question about why we are here and what we have to do."

No other driver in the modern era has won seven times consecutively, with Italian Alberto Ascari setting the record of nine in 1952/53.

Vettel had little time to celebrate his success in India last Sunday, with team members having to dismantle cars and equipment before some of them took early flights the next day.

"Obviously, there's not a lot of time between the race in India and the race here, so the team is very busy," said Vettel.

"So we couldn't go completely mad, but I had a time on Sunday night and then I had two days at home before coming here, again fairly quiet, not very spectacular. I just enjoyed the peace at home.

"I had some time for myself, back with my girlfriend as well."

Team principal Christian Horner said a bigger celebration was planned for the whole team after next month's final race of the season in Brazil.

Red Bull has also secured the constructors' championship, and has a huge lead of 157 points over Mercedes, although that makes little difference to Vettel's mindset.

"I need the team and the team needs (teammate) Mark (Webber) and myself to push the car to the limit," he said.

Behind Vettel and Red Bull, the fight for second is set to intensify.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has 207 points and holds a 24-point lead over Kimi Raikkonen in third place.

"We need to be realistic, knowing that we didn't have the chance this year to fight for the championship," Alonso said. "In the beginning of the year we were a little bit closer but then we were not quick enough. We are fighting now for other targets."

British driver Lewis Hamilton seems too far back with 169 points in fourth, but is vital to Mercedes' bid to finish second in the constructors' race.

Mercedes, with 313 points, and Ferrari, with 309, are close while Lotus is a little further back with 285.

The Abu Dhabi race starts in daylight and ends under floodlights, with track temperature dropping as twilight approaches.

The 5.55-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit features two DRS zones which are situated on the two long back straights, and teams are expected to adopt a two-stop strategy.
 

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