After dominating in formula one this season, Sebastian Vettel has been pipped at the post as Germany’s outstanding male athlete was crowned.
The Red Bull driver missed out on the 64-year-old award - presented during a nationally televised ceremony in Baden-Baden - that instead was won by Dirk Nowitzki.
The NBA star, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks, is Germany’s first basketball player to be so honoured.
"After so many years that was by far the best year of my career," said 33-year-old Nowitzki.
With the winner decided by a jury of 1500 sports journalists, Vettel came in a close second.