Sebastian Vettel has finished second as news agencies voted for the top European athlete of 2011.
The poll, organised by the Polish agency PAP and comprising 17 other European news outlets, declared Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic the winner.
The world number one amassed 163 points, ahead of Red Bull’s Vettel who scored 121.
Vettel’s German countryman Dirk Nowitzki, an NBA basketball player, finished third with 62 points.
Michael Schumacher is a former multiple winner.