Int. Racing Driver: Sebastian Vettel

Vettel became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history this year after coming out on top of a four-way battle for the title at the final race in Abu Dhabi.

The 23-year-old German received his award from 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard, the man he replaced at Red Bull in 2009.

"It's been a tiring month, but a very exciting one too. The wheels haven't stopped turning yet," said Vettel, who beat the likes of Fernando Alonso, Dario Franchitti and Lewis Hamilton to the award.

"Yesterday we had a very special night with the guys from the team in London, which was very special because I've been around the planet since the one night we had in Abu Dhabi.

"It's been great to be back with them and to be able to celebrate this properly.

"Rubens [Barrichello] explained a lot about the passion of this work, but it requires more than one person. It's been a massive team effort and this is for all of them."

After finishing as runner-up in last year's championship, Vettel began 2010 as one of the pre-season favourites.

He took pole position for the first two races of the year, but would not win until round three in Malaysia.

A constant threat at the front of the field, Vettel's year appeared to be falling apart at the mid-season point after collisions with his team-mate Mark Webber in the Turkey and Britain and Jenson Button in Belgium.

However, a string of stirring drives towards the end of the year resulted in three wins from the final four races and helped him to overturn a 25-point deficit to Fernando Alonso to become champion in Abu Dhabi.

During the season Vettel scored five wins and took 10 pole positions - twice as many as anybody else managed to achieve.