Singapore Grand Prix - in pictures

The field are on the start line with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel in pole position. It's mathematically possible, though unlikely given the necessary permutations, for the German driver to be crowned driver's champion at the end of the race. The necessary permutations are that if he wins the race and if Fernando Alonso is lower than third and if Mark Webber or Jenson Button are lower than second. Seeing as Webber and Button are just behind Vettel on the grid, the reigning champion may have to wait a bit longer before holding onto his title Photograph: Raymond Ho/AP

And they're off. The cars barrel down the home straight... Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP

Vettel leads the pack into the first corner ... Photograph: David Loh/Reuters

And into the chicane. Note Nico Rosberg taking a cheeky short cut through the advertising signs Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

An aerial view of the floodlit circuit Photograph: Wong Maye-E/AP

A guest who looks a bit like Marilyn Monroe seems to be enjoying the race Photograph: Tim Chong/Reuters

Whereas the noise seems to be too much for some of the grid girls Photograph: Tim Chong/Pool/EPA

On the 12th lap Lewis Hamilton collides with the rear right tyre of Ferrari's Felipe Massa and wrecks his front wing which necessitates a quick swap of nose cone ... Photograph: Ker Robertson/Getty Images

... Massa's wheel is a mess too. He wasn't happy about what happened as will see here and here Photograph: Tim Chong/AFP/Getty Images

By lap 14 Vettel has a 12-second lead over Jenson Button in second place Photograph: Terence Tan/AP

So Button pushes a bit harder Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA

Midway through the race Schumacher goes into the back of Sergio Pérez and flies through the air and ending up buried in a barrier. He emerges unscathed but goes of for a medical just in case Photograph: Wong Maye-E/AP

Williams-Cosworth's Pastor Maldonado takes a liberal attitude to cornering... Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images

As does Toro Rosso-Ferrari's Jaime Alguersuari Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images

He's fast, that Vettel Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Getty Images

Fireworks explode over the circuit as Vettel crosses the line for his ninth win of the season Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Getty Images

A fist-pumping Vettel heads towards Parc Ferme where he can properly celebrate his victory Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA

... That's what I'm talking about Photograph: Michael Caronna/Reuters

Vettel jumps for joy as Button and Webber join him on the podium and his crew celebrate below Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Let's take a closer look at his victory leap. It's good though he's no Michael Schumacher Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

And the champagne comes out. The bubbly to celebrate Vettel becoming the youngest back-to-back champion had to be put on ice due to Button's second place, but it will surely be cracked open in Japan as the Red Bull driver only needs one more point to win this year's title Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Getty Images