Sebastian Vettel has admitted that he can scarcely believe he has become the youngest ever triple-world champion after an incredible end to the season in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Vettel found himself down in last place in the opening lap after spinning following contact with Bruno Senna.
The German forced his way back through the field to finish sixth in a dramatic race to pip Fernando Alonso to his third consecutive world championship.
He believes that a combination of luck and skill took him over the line despite a tense finish in Sao Paulo.
"It is difficult to imagine what goes through my head now even for myself," he said.
"I am full of adrenaline and if you poke me now I wouldn't feel it. It was an incredible race. When you get turned around at Turn Four for no reason and it becomes like heading the wrong way down the M25 it is not the most comfortable feeling.
It is unbelievable but the most important thing is that throughout the season we always kept believing in ourselves. We are all a group and fighting next to each other and not against each other. I am very proud of that. It is unbelievable."
Vettel edged Alonso by just three points in the final drivers' championship standings, with Red Bull also taking the constructors' crown for the third year running.