Chris Maduewesi
Member
Equally,American swimming sensation Missy Franklin emerged as the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year.
The event was dominated mainly with tributes to the families of those affected by the missing Malaysian Airlines plane, flight MH370.
It is the first time that both winners would be winning the award,having excelled in their respective sporting events in the past years.
Vettel stood out,successfully defending his Formula One titles,winning it for a fourth consecutive time.
The German shook off challenges from athletes: Usain Bolt and Mo Farah,Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, American basketball player LeBron James and tennis star Rafa Nadal to win the award.
"It's a big honour. It's one of the most special trophies I have received," Vettel said.
Franklin on her part,became the first woman to win six golds at a single world championships in Barcelona last year.
She beat compatriot Serena Williams,Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce,Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva,Slovenian skier Tina Maze and FIFA Women's Player of the Year,Nadine Angerer to win the award.
In other categories,Bayern Munich were named World Team of The Year for their treble winning feat.
MotoGP champion Marc Marquez took the Breakthrough of the Year prize,while French paralympic skier Marie Bochet,was named sportsperson of the year with a disability, with Jamie Bestwick named World Action Sportsperson of the Year.
Nadal won the Comeback of the Year prize after returning from a seven-month injury lay-off to win the 2013 French and U.S. Opens Grand Slams.
