Vettel to become a father

Berlin - World Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel is set to become the fastest father on the planet with the German and his girlfriend expecting their first child.

The 26-year-old Red Bull star won this season's world drivers' championship for the fourth time in succession.

Vettel likes to keep his private life out of the media spotlight, but German magazine Bunte revealed the Formula One star and his long-time girlfriend Hanna are expecting their first child in 2014.

His spokesman has confirmed the news, but the sex of the child is unknown.

Having won all of the last nine Formula One races this season, Vettel finished with a total of 13 victories from the 19 races, but has not always been popular having been booed on the podium on occasion.

Having had his overall victory confirmed in India with three races left, Vettel paid a tender tribute to Hanna.

"My family and her give me so much strength," said Vettel.

"The season was not as easy as it might have seemed from the outside.

"It wasn't easy to be booed on the podium after a few races, when I hadn't done anything wrong.

"My girlfriend really helped me a lot."

Rumours that Vettel plans to marry his childhood sweetheart, whom he has known from his schooldays, have not been confirmed.