Exceptional talent from Germany, Sebastian Vettel, a modern race specialist – Formula 1
With only his fifth Formula 1 season as a driver underway, the 23-year-old German driver, Sebastian Vettel, has bagged more than six records. Also called, ‘Baby Schumi’, Vettel is the modern Formula 1 warfare and speed racing specialist. He is currently the youngest Formula 1 champion, a title he secured last year in the 2010 season.
Taking on the fight to no less than five world champions, Vettel is currently leading the way to successfully defend his world title in 2011 Formula 1 season. Vettel’s success rate is more than the famous German seven times World champion, Michael Schumacher, in his point in F1 career.
Vettel has more than six world records which includes, youngest F1 driver when he appeared in the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix’s Free Practice session, youngest driver to lead the race in 2007 Japanese Grand Prix, youngest to become a Pole sitter, Youngest to win a race, Youngest ever runners up in 2009 season and finally youngest Formula 1 Champion in 2010.
Vettel started his career from a junior Karting competition. He had a good success rate in his junior career except on two separate occasions, when he was out performed by his junior team-mates and current rivals, Lewis Hamilton and Paul De Resta, in 2005-06 Formula Three Euroseries. His junior era wins include Junior Monaco Kart Cup and German Formula BMW Championship.
His Formula 1 career started as a test driver for BMW Sauber team in 2006. He was called to replace Robert Kubica and did a good job in the Free Practice sessions by putting up the fastest time in Bahrain.
In 2007, Vettel was still Sauber’s test driver till he was given the car to drive after Robert Kubica had a horrific crash in the Canadian Grand Prix. Vettel went on to become the youngest driver to score points in his opening race.
Halfway through 2007, Vettel joined the Toro Rosso team, replacing Scott Speed. Vettel made his debut as a proper race driver in the Hungarian Grand Prix. He had an off start to his racing career since he struggled to keep up the pace of the car. He finished the season with no brilliant results.
In 2008, Vettel scored his first point scoring finish in the sixth race of the season at the Monaco Grand Prix. He had a mixed season with few point scoring finishes and fighting with the greatest names of the game. In Italian Grand Prix, Vettel became the youngest to score a Grand Prix win. This was also the first win for the Toro Rosso team. He finished the season eighth and was named the ‘Autosport Rookie’ of the year.
In the 2009 season, the German replaced David Coulthard in the Red Bull Racing team to drive along side Mark Webber. He had a good start to the season in Australia and was fighting for a podium position with Robert Kubica, but failed when they had a crash and disqualified.
Jenson Button was leading the Championship race and his only rival was Vettel in the Red Bull team. Vettel finished the season with 84 points and became the youngest runner-up ever.
Vettel remained with the Red Bull team for the 2010 season and won the epic battle against Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in the last race of the season to become the youngest Formula 1 Champion. His team-mate, Webber, finished third on the standings and the Red Bull team was crowned the constructor’s champions as well.
Vettel is currently defending his title successfully form McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. Vettel previously spoke about moving to Ferrari team after which the Red Bull team signed a multi-million contract with Vettel, bounding him to the team for four years, till 2014.
Having 12 wins and one championship to his name, surely Sebastian Vettel is the closet threat to Schumacher’s prolific era.
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