Sebastian Vettel officially crowned 2013 Formula 1 champion by FIA

His Red Bull team also picked up constructors' championship honours for the fourth season in a row.

"When I think of the times I've experienced with the team over the last few years, it's incredible," said Vettel.

"It's a pleasure to jump in the car each weekend and to try and give it all I have. I'm pushing very hard along with the team and what makes us strong is that we love what we do and we're passionate about racing.

"This year was not an easy season, but to overcome that and give the answer on the track makes me very proud. I don't have words to describe how incredible it is to retain the drivers' championship for another year."

Team boss Christian Horner said Vettel and Red Bull's run of success had taken them all aback.

"When we won the championship for the first time, the pressure was to defend it," said Horner.

"We defended it and then retained it. Having achieved the triple, you think it doesn't get any better than that and the likelihood of doing a quadruple double just seemed statistically unlikely, if nothing else.

"But the passion, the determination and the dedication within the whole team, along with the way that Sebastian and Mark delivered this year, has been absolutely phenomenal."

"When I think of the times I've experienced with the team over the last few years, it's incredible," said Vettel, who becomes just the fourth driver in Formula One history to claim four world championship titles. "It's a pleasure to jump in the car each weekend and to try and give it all I have. I'm pushing very hard along with the team and what makes us strong is that we love what we do and we're passionate about racing. This year was not an easy season, but to overcome that and give the answer on the track makes me very proud. I don't have words to describe how incredible it is to retain the Drivers' Championship for another year, I would like to say a huge thank you to the team and everyone who supported me."