Germany’s press jubilantly hailed Sebastian Vettel’s third Formula One world championship Monday, describing him as a “racing God” while also paying tribute to departing seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

Vettel’s triumph was plastered over most front pages in Germany, with mass circulation Bild screaming “Vettel madness”. “You are now a racing God … at 25, the youngest triple world champion of all time,” wrote the paper.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung compared Vettel to racing legends Juan Manuel Fangio and their own “Schumi”.

“For Vettel, it’s the third in a row. In 62 years of Formula One, only two others have done that: Fangio and Schumacher. That shows what company Vettel is joining.

“That at the age of 25 he is the youngest by some distance to achieve this shows what he can still do,” added the Sueddeutsche.

Vettel also received congratulations from a wide range of Germany’s great and good, from Chancellor Angela Merkel to tennis star Boris Becker.

“Like so often this season he showed fabulous strength of character and driving skill in Sao Paulo. Like millions of fans, I have been thrilled to see how he has fought back in the world championship after a difficult start,” said Merkel.

Becker tweeted: “Vettel is the man. Wunderbar (wonderful).”

But the German press did not forget their other hero, Michael Schumacher, who was first to congratulate Vettel after the tumultuous Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Die Welt daily devoted an entire page to the seven-time world champion, headlined: “Well done and thank you.”

“Thank you and goodbye,” wrote the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in English.