Sebastian Vettel was honored as the sportsman of the year at the Laureus Sports Awards, and Bayern Munich was chosen as the best team in a German-double.

The jury of sporting greats chose 18-year-old American swimmer Missy Franklin as the youngest recipient of the sportswoman of the year award.

The 26-year-old Vettel, Formula One's youngest four-time champion, collected the top Laureus award in Kuala Lumpur ahead of this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix in the city.

The 2013 team award was in recognition of Bayern completing the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble last season. The ceremony came the day after the unbeaten champions wrapped up the quickest Bundesliga title in 51 years of the league.

The ceremony was attended by Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak amid anger over his government's handling of the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.

Germany's Sebastian Vettel, racing driver for the Red Bull Formula One team arrives for the Laureus Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur March 26, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

US swimmer Missy Franklin, nominee of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, arrives for the Laureus Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur March 26, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]