Sebastian Vettel celebrates as he wins his third Formula One championship. Vettel finished sixth in the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on Nov. 25 to clinch the title.

Sebastian Vettel, center, celebrates with the Red Bull team after the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix. Vettel overcame a first-lap crash to clinch his third straight Formula One championship title, finishing sixth in an incident-filled race won by Jenson Button under pouring rain. He also become F1's youngest three-time champion at age 25.

Red Bull Racing team members cheer as Sebastian Vettel crosses the finish line in sixth position and clinches the championship. Vettel had to overcome a poor start, a crash in the opening lap, a damaged car, a broken radio, a botched pit stop and pouring rain.

Racing fans in Sebastian Vettel's home town of Heppenheim, Germany cheer as he secures his third straight Formula One championship. Fans gathered Nov. 25 to watch a public viewing of the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix, where Vettel overcame many obstacles to finish sixth in the race.

Racing fans in Sebastian Vettel's home town of Heppenheim, Germany celebrate his third Formula One championship.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, left, of Spain, sprays champagne on teammate Felipe Massa, far right, of Brazil at the podium after the race.

McLaren driver Jenson Button of Great Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. It was Button's third win of the season.

Sebastian Vettel leads a train of cars early in the race. Vettel appeared in big trouble after he was bumped shortly after the start, but went on to finish sixth and notch his third straight Formula One championship.

Nico Hulkenberg of Force India crashes into Lewis Hamilton's McLaren while trying to pass on a wet track with 17 laps to go. Before the crash, Hamilton had been leading in his final race with McLaren. He received a standing ovation from his team when he returned to the garage.

McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button leads the race after the start Sunday. Button went on to win the race, his third victory of the season.

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel spins after being involved in an incident with Bruno Senna early in the race. Vettel would recover and race to the finish - and the title.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel drives past his teammate Mark Webber (rear), who briefly lost control of his car, during Sunday's race. 

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso loses grip and runs wide at Turn One. Alonso was trying to overcome Sebastian Vettel in the battle for the championship in the race.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leads the field at the start of the race. Hamilton was in his final race with McLaren as he is changing teams in 2013.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain finished eighth in Saturday's qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton cruises into a first-place finish during qualifying at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 24.

Paul di Resta of Great Britain and Force India makes his away around a bend in Sao Paulo.

Australian driver Mark Webber powers his Red Bull to clock the third position for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
 

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain, right, shakes hands with Red Bull driver Mark Webber of Australia after Webber clocked the third fastest time in the qualifying session at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after clocking the fastest time in qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Drivers like Michael Schumacher of Germany can't help but push the pedal to the floor when Formula One hits Brazil, site of the season finale. On Friday, the Mercedes GP driver makes a run through the Sao Paulo circuit during practice for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. The race will be run Sunday.

Mark Webber of Australia takes his turn on the Sao Paulo course during Friday's practice. Teammate Sebastian Vettel is the man of the weekend, entering the season finale in Brazil with the series lead.

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel is looking for his third consecutive championship this weekend in the Brazilian Grand Prix. He enters the race with a 13-point edge over Fernando Alonso.

Scuderia Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo prepares for practice at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Brazil.

Michael Schumacher is preparing for the final race of his Formula One career as he is set to retire at the end of Sunday's showdown.

Sebastian Vettel greets the media as he prepares for the final race in the championship battle. A fourth-place finish would lock up the title for Vettel, regardless of where Fernando Alonso finishes.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso stops in the pits during practice at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Alonso is trying to overcome Sebastian Vettel in the championship race.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Scuderia Toro Rosso prepares to drive during practice for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on Nov. 23. The Formula One drivers are preparing to wrap up the season at the Sao Paulo, Brazil, course.

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, winner of the series' most recent race, steers his car during practice at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hamilton is entering his final race with McLaren.

Jean-Eric Vergne of Scuderia Toro Rosso prepares for practice on Friday. The season finale will take place on a tough course for competitors.

Red Bull's Mark Webber takes practice laps at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in preparation for Sunday's race. Webber enters the race fifth in the standings.

A window above the track reflects the car of Ferrari driver Felipe Massa during practice on Friday. Massa is seventh in the standings entering this weekend's race.