Vettel's second title 'phenomenal' - Horner

Christian Horner embraces Sebastian Vettel
in the paddock.© Sutton Images

Christian Horner labelled Sebastian Vettel's back-to-back championships as a "phenomenal" achievement and said he should be proud to join an elite group of drivers in the history of the sport.

Vettel wrapped up his second title in as many years at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday and Horner praised his driver's hard work throughout the year.

"Firstly, it's phenomenal for Sebastian Vettel to win his second world championship," he said. "He's driven magnificently this year and thoroughly deserves this championship victory, which he has dominated since the first race in Melbourne. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work and team work and he can be very proud of what he's achieved. This now places him amongst an elite group of drivers who have realised not only a double championship - but back-to-back world championships."

Technical director Adrian Newey said the second title was testimony to the team's hard work.

"From being a start-up team in 2005 to winning the title last year was very special, but this year showed that it wasn't just a flash in the pan, that we can come back in successive years and win," he said. "It's a great tribute to everybody in Milton Keynes and all the effort that's gone on. It's fantastic for the team."

Looking back at Sunday's race, Horner admitted Red Bull had been a little bit slow in the pit stops, where Vettel lost positions to Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

"The race today was a tight one, we seemed to lose time in the pit lane today - perhaps with our positioning at the end of the pit lane, but nonetheless Jenson drove a strong race and congratulations to him," Horner said. "Third and fourth is still a strong haul of points for the constructors' championship and we have consolidated our lead of 130 points. However, today belongs to Sebastian."

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