With the victory, Vettel is the youngest World Champion in history at 23 years, 134 days, beating Lewis Hamilton (2008) who took the honor from Fernando Alonso. For Red Bull it is there 9th win of the 2010 season, and further enhances their constructors championship efforts.
In the end, no team orders were required as Sebastian Vettel drove a perfect qualifying followed by a perfect race.
All of the misfortune he found early in the season was finally overcome at the very last moment - the season finale.
An emotional Vettel said of his win & world championship, "Thank you boys I love you all!" Red Bull Boss Christian Horner screamed back to him "You are the world champion! World Champion!"
Horner continued, "It's unbelievable, this is the first time Sebastian has led the world championship, and he's finally done it at the last race of the year!"
Vettel continued to celebrate saying, "I'm a bit speechless, I don't know what you are supposed to say in these moments. We've always believed in the team and the car. This morning I tried not to think about anything, and avoided contact with people. We only led this championship once, when it matters."
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton finished second putting up a great fight for his 9th podium of the season. Hamilton said, "It was a great result and finish to the season."
2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button put up a valiant fight despite being mathematically out of the championship. Button said, "I feel like I'm at home, and happy with the season. I think the experience we've gained this season will really build for next year."
Poor Alonso. Yes, it was Fernando who failed to get past a pesky Petrov powered by a Renault - and wrongly blamed the Russian - but it was the Ferrari pitwall who made the catastrophic decision to put him back in traffic. it was the wrong call.
Alonso said, "It was a frustrating race, and during the safety car Petrov and Rosberg pitted, they were difficult to overtake. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. If we hadn't have stopped, we believe that Webber wouldn't have passed us. Petrov drove very well with no mistakes. We are look forward to 2011 and winning more races and fighting for the championship."
For Red Bull Mark Webber - who many believe Red Bull should have declared as number one at least one race ago - lost the championship. Although Webber had chances today to redeem himself, he really lost the championship yesterday with a horrid qualifying of fifth. Webber was pushing hard during the race - even hitting the barrier at one point - but at no point showed he had the pace of Vettel. For Webber, this will be remembered as a season that might have been. But when the pressure rose to a precipitous peak... he failed to get the job done.
Michael Schumacher had a very scary incident on Lap 1 after battling with his teammate Nico Rosberg. The younger Mercedes driver had the inside of the turn, and Schumacher's Mercedes began to slide around leaving him facing on-coming traffic. Vitantonio Liuzzi and his Force India F1 car was unable to avoid the 7-time world champion and hit him nose-to-nose. Fortunately, the Force India chassis slide to Schumacher's right and just missed his helmeted head by inches as it rode up on top of the stricken Mercedes. Both Liuzzi, and Schumacher would walk away from the scene of the accident.
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