Australia's racing fraternity and media hailed Mark Webber after he won the German Grand Prix, becoming the first Aussie to win an F1 GP since Alan Jones in Las Vegas in 1981.
The 32-year-old Red Bull driver's victory on Sunday was also a personal triumph, coming at the 130th attempt.
It might also be timely given doubts about the future of the Australian Grand Prix, with race chief Ron Walker indicating last week that the Melbourne street race may be scrapped if disunity in the sport is not resolved.
"He drove like a star, his Red Bull team got the tactics exactly right and he delivered on all the promise he has shown since he first raced Formula Ford in Australia," The Herald-Sun motoring writer Paul Gover said.
"Based on his performance at the Nurburgring, Webber will win races again before the end of the year and is now a dark horse for the world championship behind points leader Jenson Button and Vettel."
"It's no less than he deserves," Gover said after Webber came home ahead of Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel in the team's second successive one-two at the Nurburgring.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation sent a message of congratulations. "This is a great day for Mark and we are so happy to see him get the win he deserves," AGPC chief executive Drew Ward said in a statement.
"All Australians should be very proud of Mark?s achievements. His dedication to racing is inspirational and we look forward to continued success for the rest of the season."
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Limited (CAMS) said Webber was an example to Australia?s up-and-coming drivers.
"It is incredible to see him achieve success after years of hard work and dedication," CAMS chief executive Graham Fountain said in a statement.
"Mark, you have done the Australian motor sport community and the nation very proud."
Motor sport writer Stuart Sykes said Webber's victory was reward for his hard work.
"I know exactly how hard he and his small team around him worked to get him where he is," Sykes said.
"He epitomises much that is good about being an Australian and it's just an absolute reward for effort, endeavour and some very real talent behind the wheel."
Webber's triumph comes eight months after he suffered a fractured right leg after being hit head-on by a car while cycling in a multi-sport charity event in Tasmania.
"As he jumped joyously from his car, you could still see the lingering limp and special leg protection he carries from the mountain bike crash last year that could so easily have ended his career," The Herald-Sun's Gover said.
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
