Vettel wins F1 title; Button takes Brazil Grand Prix
Red Bull-Renault driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives his car during the first practice session of Formula One’s Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida on October 28, 2011. India will host its first Formula One Grand Prix on October 30.
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Sebastian Vettel won his third consecutive F1 championship Sunday, with Jenson Button taking the Brazil Grand Prix title.
In a race plagued by accidents and rain, Vettel fought to finish sixth after dropping to last place during lap one after a collision, reported BBC News. Rival Fernando Alonso finished second, meaning he needed Vettel to finish lower than seventh to take the world drivers' title.
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"Everything that could go wrong went wrong," Vettel told the Associated Press. "Just look at the stuff that went wrong. It was for sure the toughest race. We kept believing. It was never game over."
BBC also reported that Button won the day's race and took the Brazilian title after leading teammate Lewis Hamilton was hit by Nico Hulkenberg. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, F1's most successful driver, finished seventh in his final race after 19 seasons.
The 25-year-old Vettel, of Germany, is the youngest driver ever to win three championship titles, at six years younger than Ayrton Senna, according to EFE. He is only the third driver ever to win three in a row.
"It's difficult to find the right words," Vettel said to the AP about his record-breaking season. "It's unbelievable. I'm still full of adrenaline. It was an incredible race."