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F1 rivals were quick to congratulate Germany's Sebastian Vettel on becoming F1's youngest world champion on Sunday, and there was also praise in his home country.
Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, who was one four drivers going into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a chance of winning the title, said: "Congratulations to Seb and to the team, two world championships, that's not a bad season. There's quite a few emotions when you just miss out. It's a shame."
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished the race seventh and ended the season second behind Vettel and ahead of Webber and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, congratulated Vettel and tried to shrug off his frustration.
"This is sport - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Next year we try again.
"It was very good, for me especially after two years of some difficulties, coming back to winning races, fighting for the championship. I'm sure with this team it is very possible to fight for championships in the future, so I am happy."
Hamilton, who finished the race second ahead of team-mate and outgoing world champion Jenson Button, said: "It's not been the most spectacular season for us, but huge congratulations to Red Bull and Sebastian. He really did a fantastic job throughout the year and fair dos to him."
Former world champion Michael Schumacher offered "big congratulations" to the man who has now given Germany only its second F1 champion and the first since Schumacher won the last of his seven titles in 2004.
"That was extremely well done after his season was so mixed but he was able to come back strongly in the last few races," he said.
Praise come from other sports, with Germany's national football team coach Joachim Loew saying it was "a fantastic success" for Vettel.
"It is even more significant because he sealed the title in an exciting finish. The German football team heartily congratulates him. With talent, self-confidence and discipline he has at a young age written sporting history in Formula One," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined the congratulations, saying: "To have the strength of nerve to turn things round in the last race shows the class of a true champion.
"As the youngest Formula One world champion of all time, Sebastian Vettel has now written sporting history at 23. With millions of fans I am delighted for him and his team." ource : Sapa-dpa /wb
Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, who was one four drivers going into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a chance of winning the title, said: "Congratulations to Seb and to the team, two world championships, that's not a bad season. There's quite a few emotions when you just miss out. It's a shame."
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished the race seventh and ended the season second behind Vettel and ahead of Webber and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, congratulated Vettel and tried to shrug off his frustration.
"This is sport - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Next year we try again.
"It was very good, for me especially after two years of some difficulties, coming back to winning races, fighting for the championship. I'm sure with this team it is very possible to fight for championships in the future, so I am happy."
Hamilton, who finished the race second ahead of team-mate and outgoing world champion Jenson Button, said: "It's not been the most spectacular season for us, but huge congratulations to Red Bull and Sebastian. He really did a fantastic job throughout the year and fair dos to him."
Former world champion Michael Schumacher offered "big congratulations" to the man who has now given Germany only its second F1 champion and the first since Schumacher won the last of his seven titles in 2004.
"That was extremely well done after his season was so mixed but he was able to come back strongly in the last few races," he said.
Praise come from other sports, with Germany's national football team coach Joachim Loew saying it was "a fantastic success" for Vettel.
"It is even more significant because he sealed the title in an exciting finish. The German football team heartily congratulates him. With talent, self-confidence and discipline he has at a young age written sporting history in Formula One," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined the congratulations, saying: "To have the strength of nerve to turn things round in the last race shows the class of a true champion.
"As the youngest Formula One world champion of all time, Sebastian Vettel has now written sporting history at 23. With millions of fans I am delighted for him and his team." ource : Sapa-dpa /wb