In the race both streaked away from the chasing pack, with thegap between Fangioand third-placed Karl Klingoveraminute by the time they reached the flag.
It means that Vettel is only the third driver in the history of the sport to win three successive titles, equalling the achievements of Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher.
Ecclestone tipped Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel to retain his drivers' championship and become only the third driver after Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio and fellow German Michael Schumacher to win three titles in a row.