Emotional Vettel thankful to Red Bull after second F1 title

The German became Formula 1's youngest double champion on Sunday after finishing in third place behind Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

Vettel, 24, secured the title with four races to go after a sensational season in which he has scored 12 poles and eight victories.

The German admitted it was hard to find the right words after clinching the title, but was very grateful to Red Bull for its work during the year.

"It is difficult to know where to start," said Vettel, who became F1's youngest champion last year. "Obviously it is such a long year and we had a fantastic year, and the best thing is it is not over yet.

"A strong result again today to win the championship here, it's fantastic. There are so many things you want to say in this moment but it's hard to remember all of them, so I am just so thankful to everyone in the team.

"We have so many people here at the track and at Milton Keynes, day in and day out, not only Friday, but also Saturday and Sunday and Monday to Friday, every day pushing hard, fighting hard for points and fighting for the championship.

"We find ourselves in a very strong position and it is great to achieve the goal we set ourselves already now."

He added: "There are so many people. It is hard to name them all, but one person that really stands out this year is the person I spend most of my time with, he is my trainer Tommy Parmakoski, and regards to his family in Finland. They have a great son with a great heart. He was the first one who stopped me from thinking about things not in our control."

Vettel admitted winning back-to-back titles was a very hard thing to achieve, even with last year's experience.

"The hardest thing is winning after winning last year," he said. "We won the championship, it was so close and we were so excited, even knowing how to do it doesn't allow you to forget all these steps. I could not have done this all alone. It is as confusing as the first one I must say. It is hard to find the right words."

Vettel started from pole position but was unable to keep Button and Alonso at bay as he had a hard time with the softer tyres.

"Today's race was not so easy. We were not that quick on soft tyres as we hoped to be. It was difficult as we lost two positions, and it was difficult to get past Fernando. I got my move of the year in Monza and obviously he is not letting me through this way twice."