Sebastian Vettel delighted in his historic achievement and Lewis Hamilton could be at least partly happy about his ride in the Monza rain.
"A star is born in the Monza rain," said Italy's Unita daily on Monday after Vettel became the youngest Formula One race winner at age 21, in a Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso on Sunday.
Vettel hung on to his pole position for a stunning victory and his courage in terrible conditions swiftly drew comparisons with the most famous fellow-German driver, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
"Schumacher's heir is the youngest F1 winner," said Italy's Corriere dello Sport on Monday.
But Vettel, who will drive for Toro Rosso's sister team Red Bull in a more competitive car next year, remained modest.
"To compare anybody to Michael I think is a bit ridiculous.
"Obviously I'm very young and at a very early stage of my career and therefore I think there's no need to make a comparison. He's probably one of the best drivers we have ever seen. I'm proud, in a way, because I know him," said Vettel.
But the "wonder boy" (Germany's Bild paper) was obviously delighted about his achievement.
"When I took the chequered flag I didn't know what to say ... I was extremely happy, but at some point I started shouting. It's difficult to describe that moment, to see people left and right, a lot of people cheering, the marshals coming down from their posts and clapping their hands. This is something that for sure I will never forget," he said.
"To see the shape of the podium and the people down below you: I will never forget this picture all my life. And to listen to the German national anthem was fantastic and I nearly stared to cry."
Vettel won from McLaren-Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen and Robert Kubica in a BMW, while McLaren's Hamilton placed seventh from 15th on the grid to take a one-point lead over Ferrari driver Felipe Massa (sixth) into the final four races of the season.
Things could have been even better for Hamilton if the conditions had remained very wet throughout the race, but slightly improving weather forced him to an extra pit stop to change tyres which denied him victory.
"I felt I drove a good race and was moving through the field quickly when the circuit was at his wettest.
"If it had kept on racing, I feel pretty confident I probably could have won. But, as it dried out, my tyres overcooked. Still, today was all about damage control. I kept my lead in the championship," said Hamilton.
While the next race is the inaugural night GP in Singapore on September 28, Hamilton next important day is September 22, when McLaren's appeal against a decision to drop Hamilton from first to third place in Spa, Belgium, a week ago is heard by the ruling body FIA.
