• Indian Grand Prix

Vettel praises 'phenomenal' Red Bull

ESPN Staff
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Sebastian Vettel described Red Bull as "phenomenal" after securing his fourth consecutive world championship at the Indian Grand Prix.

Victory at the Buddh International Circuit handed Vettel his fourth title with three races of the 2013 season still remaining. Speaking on the podium, Vettel said he had been in a state of shock when he finally confirmed the championship and praised the team for giving him a car to win on such a consistent basis.

"I'm speechless," Vettel said. "I crossed the line and I was empty. I took ages to think about something to say and it's one of those moments when you wish to say many things but you can't. It's been a phenomenal season. The spirit inside the team is so strong that I said on the radio it gives me so much power; it's a pleasure to jump in the car and go out for the guys and just try to give it all I have. The car was phenomenal today; it was phenomenal all season to be honest so I couldn't ask for more."

Vettel referenced the booing he has received on occasions this season as something that has affected him personally but was overwhelmed to join an elite list of four-time world champions.

"I want to say a big thank you to the team, to all the people that were behind us. It was for sure not an easy season, even if people from the outside get the idea that we had it in our hands for quite a while in the last couple of races. I think it was a difficult season all-in-all and a difficult one for me personally; to receive boos even though you haven't done anything wrong. But to overcome that and to finally give the right answer on the track and finally get the acceptance I think we are all looking for as racing drivers makes me very proud. To join people like [Alain] Prost, [Juan Manuel] Fangio and Michael [Schumacher] is unbelievable."

Speaking about the doughnuts he carried out in celebration in front of the Indian fans after the race, Vettel said it wasn't a planned move.

"I hadn't really thought about it. Rocky - my engineer - called for the usual procedure but then I said 'Not this time!' There are so many people here in the main grandstand so I had to do it. Usually we are not allowed to but it felt so right at that time."

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