By Ian Lockwood
December 9 2013

Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing were awarded their trophies for winning the 2013 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship titles respectively at last Friday night’s FIA’s annual Prize-Giving Gala in Paris.

Held at the Cité du Cinéma movie studios complex built by legendary French film director Luc Besson, the Formula One awards section of the evening kicked off with Mark receiving his trophy for finishing in third place in the Drivers' standings in his final Formula One season. He was joined on stage by runner-up Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.

After that it was time for the Constructors' prize, which was announced by the victorious RB9 being lowered from the roof of the auditorium. Christian Horner then collected the team's trophy for its fourth Constructors' crown in a row from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"Winning a fourth FIA Formula One World Champion Constructors' title this year is something that the team could only have dreamt of when we began our first season in 2005," Christian said. "What has gone into this achievement should not be underestimated; the whole team has worked together with enormous commitment and determination."

"When we won the Championship for the first time, the pressure was to defend it," he added. "We defended it and then retained it. Having achieved the triple, you think it doesn't get any better than that and the likelihood of doing a quadruple double just seemed statistically unlikely, if nothing else. But the passion, the determination and the dedication within the whole team, along with the way that Sebastian and Mark delivered this year, has been absolutely phenomenal."

After collecting the award he invited Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey onto the stage to share in the celebrations, crediting Adrian with a major role in the team's championship victory.

Then it was Sebastian's turn and he picked up his trophy from newly re-elected FIA President Jean Todt, who was surprised and amused when Sebastian delivered a pitch perfect impersonation of him to the delight of the audience.

Seb then thanked the team for its contribution to his success, saying: "When I think of the times I've experienced with the team over the last few years, it's incredible. It's a pleasure to jump in the car each weekend and to try and give it all I have. I'm pushing very hard along with the team and what makes us strong is that we love what we do and we're passionate about racing." "This year was not an easy season, but to overcome that and give the answer on the track makes me very proud," he added. "I don't have words to describe how incredible it is to retain the Drivers' Championship for another year, I would like to say a huge thank you to the team and everyone who supported me."

It wasn't Seb's first appearance of the night, however. At the start of the evening he joined a host of champions in Besson's specially made opening film, entitled 'The Heist of the Century'. Featuring seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, Seb, fellow four-time F1 champion Alain Prost, World rally champions Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb, World Endurance Championship winner Allan McNish and World Touring Car Champion Yvan Muller, the short film involved the racers in a plot to raid the Prize-Giving.

Afterwards, Besson, the director of box-office hits such as Léon, the Fifth Element and the recently released The Family, thanked Seb and all the champions who took part for their professionalism, saying that the one thing that set the drivers apart from real actors was that "they were on time!"

With the group champions' photo call done, it was off to the after party where DJ Kavinsky entertained guests until the small hours. Were Seb, Christian and Adrian among them? Nope, the trio basked in the glory for a short while but then headed straight back to the UK. There's work to be done you know...