Reaction: Sebastian Vettel, 2011 F1 champion
Sebastian Vettel:
"A lot of people have been quite confident about the title, but one of the important things was that we didn't allow ourselves to drift away with the thought too much. Instead we concentrated on every single step and everything we have done this year and everything we have achieved - then wow. I want to thank all the guys and girls in the factory in Milton Keynes, as it's not just us here pushing very hard, it's them as well - from the post office to the design office to the engineering office here at the track, their effort is just incredible. It's hard to imagine you know, we have two cars and two drivers only and we carry that weight on our shoulders every time we go on track. Sometimes we don't treat the cars as good as we should, but we always try to get every single bit out of them every race weekend. But it's phenomenal what's happened - we set ourselves the target to win the Championship this year and so, to win it by Japan with four more races to go, is difficult to put into words - it's as confusing as the first one.
"I never imagined I would win one Championship and so to win this second one is amazing. I have a lot of good memories from Formula One, from watching it when I was young, to now and I feel fortunate and blessed to experience today. There were so many excited people when we did the drivers' parade today and that was my last thought when I put my helmet on. For drivers, it doesn't get much better than this, a sunny day and all the fans excited to see what you do - I think that's what life is about. And so, to wrap up the Championship here is difficult to put into words - it's more than fantastic."
Mark Webber:
"Congratulations to Sebastian - to become a double World Championship is a very good job."
Christian Horner:
"It's phenomenal for Sebastian Vettel to win his second World Championship. He's driven magnificently this year and thoroughly deserves this Championship victory, which he has dominated since the first race in Melbourne. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work and team work and he can be very proud of what he's achieved. This now places him amongst an elite group of drivers who have realised not only a double Championship - but back-to-back World Championships."
Jenson Button:
"Seb has done a great job all season and he deserved the title. He was given the equipment and just got on and did what was required of him"
Lewis Hamilton:
"Big congratulations to Sebastian for winning the title. We all knew it was going to happen, but his season has really been flawless. It's a fantastic achievement for him."
Martin Whitmarsh:
"I would like to pass on congratulations to Sebastian from myself and the whole of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. He has driven a consistent and error-free season, and I only wish we could have delayed tonight's party for a little while longer! But big congratulations to him nonetheless."
Fernando Alonso:
"Congratulations to Sebastian! Winning two world titles at his age, in a season in which he has done it all - in qualifying, the races and every other way, so perfectly, is amazing and it is well deserved. For our part, we can do no more than try and do our utmost to try and beat him next year."
Felipe Massa:
"I want to congratulate Sebastian Vettel: he is a great guy and deserves this title and I am very happy for him."
Stefano Domenicali:
"On behalf of the Scuderia, I wish to congratulate Sebastian Vettel on clinching his second drivers' title: he has had an incredible season and this fantastic result is well deserved!"
Michael Schumacher:
"I would like to congratulate Sebastian and his team who have been exceptional the whole year. It is extremely emotional to see him win the Championship again - I am very happy for him and even a little bit proud."
Nico Rosberg:
"Sebastian, congratulations: you deserve the title."
Ross Brawn:
"I think it was a very exciting race and a fitting Grand Prix in which to crown a new World Champion. Congratulations to Sebastian and Red Bull Racing on his second World Championship - he has driven impeccably all year, and together they have set the standards we must now aim for and exceed."
Norbert Haug:
"Congratulations to Jenson Button and McLaren-Mercedes on their victory over the World Champion but, most of all, we take our hats off to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing - not just for winning the title, but also for defending it with an exceptional level of performance throughout the season."
Eric Boullier:
"On behalf of the whole Renault team I would like to offer my congratulations to Sebastian Vettel for his second World Championship win."
Peter Sauber:
"Congratulations to Sebastian for a well-deserved world championship title after an outstanding season."
Franz Tost:
"On behalf of everyone at Toro Rosso, I want to congratulate Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing for winning a second consecutive Drivers' Championship."
Tony Fernandes:
"I'd like to wish Sebastian and all our friends at Red Bull Racing huge congratulations for an incredible job this season. They still have a job to do, and I know from firsthand experience that they will not let up in their pursuit of the constructors' title this year, and many more titles in the future. They set the standards that we must aspire to and I am very proud that we are part of their extended family and can keep being inspired by them as we grow to, one day, take the fight to them on track."
John Booth:
"It has been extremely heart-warming to return to Japan and receive such a typically warm reception from the fans here. They deserved a great race and they got one - the Championship decider to boot. Congratulations to Sebastian on his second world title."
Jens Marquardt - BMW:
"Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel on the successful defence of his Formula One World Championship title. This is just one more highlight in an extraordinary career, which began in Formula BMW. His career is the best possible evidence of the success of the Formula BMW concept. The blonde boy from back then is now a two-time world champion - a role model for any junior drivers following in his footsteps in the Formula BMW Talent Cup. Sebastian has shown that, with a mixture of talent and the right support, it is possible to reach the very top of the sport. We hope he continues to be successful for a long time."
