Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel has finally been given his official Formula One drivers championship trophy for the 2011 season in the FIA's annual back-slapping prize-giving end of year Gala held in New Delhi.
Vettel collected the trophy from FIA president Jean Todt in the fancy Prize Giving Gala at the Kingdom of Dreams leisure destination in the city.Meanwhile, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was presented with the FIA's constructors trophy for 2011 after the team secured that championship.
Vettel wrapped up the 2011 title with a dominant performance, winning eleven races through the season to become the youngest-ever double world champion.
"It's great to be here in India at the FIA Gala to collect my second drivers' championship trophy," the German grinned, "I have had the trophy in my house all year and didn't want to give it back, so this means a great deal to me."
He added: "It's hard to put into words how it feels to win again; the team stayed focused and made few mistakes and I would like to thank them for all their impressive efforts. I would also like to thank Renault who worked so hard all year.
"The history of Formula One means a lot to me and it's special to know that we are now somehow a part of that."
Red Bull themselves were equally dominant, with the team securing all but one of the pole positions, and winning a total of twelve races with Vettel and team mate Mark Webber.
"It's phenomenal what the team has achieved this year," Horner smugly grinned as he collected the team trophy.
"To win 12 races and take 18 pole positions and 27 podiums to defend our title is something we are very proud of. I would like to thank every member of the team, including Mark and Sebastian for all their hard work."
He went on: "Receiving the award tonight is fantastic and a great end to what has been an incredible year.
"Seb's achievement of becoming a double Formula One world champion is incredible; the fact he is the youngest ever to do this is testament to the exciting young talent that he is."
Also picking up awards were McLaren's Jenson Button and Webber himself, for finishing second and third in the championship respectively.
There was also an award for the UK broadcaster BBC, who secured the title of broadcaster of the year for their efforts in 2011, presented by Vijay Mallya.
The rather meaningless award will come as some comfort for the Beeb at the end of their final season of exclusive rights to F1.
From 2012, the company will only show ten races live during the season, with the pay TV broadcaster Sky Sports set to share the coverage.
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