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Gallery: every single F1 champion in history
A gentle pat on his helmet from Fernando Alonso preceded a spectacular showing from Vettel: emerging from his third-placed Red Bull at the Japanese GP, he showed us two obstinately angled fingers. He is now a double Formula One world champion, and the youngest ever.
But really, would you have expected anybody else to win? Of the 15 races so far this season, Vettel's been on pole for 12 of them, been on the podium for 14, and won nine. Nine races from 15, and he's wrapped up the championship with four races to spare. No doubt he's already retired to his Fortress of Fingers (postcode, Outer Space), to cackle maniacally at the pitiful human drivers, while formulating a plan to destroy Jenson Button once and for all.
But remember, though future victories look assured for the actually-quite-nice Vettel, there have been 31 champs before him. Can you remember them all? Have a click through to see F1's 61-year Hall of Fame.
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