Germany’s Sebastian Vettel has been lavished with praise by his nations press in the aftermath of becoming the youngest back-to-back world championship title winner in Formula One history.
“The second German child-prodigy after Boris Becker is among us,” headlined the Leipziger Volkszeitung of the 24-year-old’s achievement in Suzuka, Japan.
The regional daily hailed “a superstar who doesn’t behave like a star” whose behaviour is always impeccable “whether it be in the cockpit or in his life.”
“After years marked by scandals, intrigue and different campaigns, Formula One can finally make positive headlines. And they owe it to Vettel who has brought it back down to earth by his performances,” said the daily Westfalische Nachrichten.
“Managing his engine, tyre wear, technical knowledge, he gets the best out of the engineers and has shown great team spirit contrary to a number of his predecessors,” the newspaper said.
Top-selling daily Bild predicted he could outstrip the achievements of Germany’s seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
“Is he already unbeatable for the years to come?” asked Bild, warning that “behind the face of an angel hides a killer.”
The Sueddeutsche Zeitung also predicted long success for the driver.
“That Vettel has managed to secure the title so early with such competition is remarkable. Schumacher, at the height of his fame, had only one real rival.
“And if Vettel continues to drive for as long as Schumacher, he could become world champion 19 times,” added the Bavarian newspaper.
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