Vettel vows to grow beard until title over

(GMM) Sebastian Vettel has vowed to keep growing his beard until he is either crowned the 2009 world champion or beaten by his rivals to formula one's biggest prize.

Having won in Japan two weeks ago with an unshaven stubbly look, the 22-year-old German appeared at the Interlagos circuit on Thursday, scene of Sunday's penultimate round of the season, wearing a tatty beard.

He has apparently agreed a pact with some of his closest mechanics at the Red Bull team to avoid the razor while he is still mathematically able to clinch the title.