Formula One news: McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh admits he wants Sebastian Vettel
Team principal for McLaren Martin Whitmarsh revealed that he tried to approach Sebastian Vettel after Fernando Alonso left the team in 2007, and that the team is still willing to approach the German driver after his contract expires in 2012.
However, Whitmarsh was quite critical about Vettel’s move on Jenson Button at the Belgian Grand Prix and described him as a “crash kid” as he forced the Jenson to retire.
“Under pressure this year, Sebastian is making just too many mistakes. Also his collision with Mark Webber in Turkey, for me, was 95% his fault,” Whitmarsh told
Sport Bild.
Martin Whitmarsh explained that when the team approached the 23-year-old after the departure of Fernando Alonso from the team in the end of 2007, the contract-holders of Red Bull vetoed the deal from McLaren to him. Sebastian was a rookie back then and used
to be a Toro Rosso driver.
Sebastian Vettel is arguably one of the brightest rising stars of the new generation of drivers. He is now an established race-winning driver with a long-term contract with Red Bull, hoping the team will help him to the top. The young German driver is expected
to be a regular winner and even a potential championship winner.
The 23-year-old moved to the Formula BMW in 2003 to take his rookie honours after beginning his racing career in karting. Sebastian won 18 out of 20 events followed by that to title the next year. He moved to the European F3 in 2005 before joining BMW Sauber
as a test and reserve driver in 2006. However, Sebastian stayed race sharp, as he was competing in the World Series with Renault before signing, making his debut in the Formula 1.
Sebastian Vettel is expected to be the most promising newcomer in Formula 1. He began his Formula 1 career in 2007 just 3 years ago with Toro Rosso and scored 6 points in his first 8 races. BMW Sauber or Toro Rosso were not the best of teams back then therefore,
the German was highly appreciated by the spectators. Sebastian stayed with Toro Rosso for the following year, and managed to score a pole with the same team. This was quite a statement by the German, and proved to be the beginning of a great career. Sebastian
scored an impressive 8th place with 35 points and was praised a lot by the teams, as this was his first full season in the sport. Vettel was immediately offered a seat in the Red Bull, and he has been driving for the team ever since. The 23-year-old
kept his momentum, and scored a total of 84 points with the help of 4 wins, 8 podiums and 4 pole positions to finish in 2nd place in the drivers’ standings last year. Sebastian is currently in 5th place with 163 points just 24 points
behind the leader Mark Webber. The German was able to secure 2 wins, 6 podiums and 7 pole positions this season, and is still in the hunt for the drivers’ title. Sebastian was highly criticized after a couple of “silly” mistakes, as he caused Button to retire
recently at the Belgian Grand Prix. However, 7 pole positions this year impressed many professionals and Sebastian still has his hopes high for the drivers’ title. The 23-year-old will have to keep his cool, and try to control the pressure in order to win.
“I am open and honest enough to admit it. Sebastian is one of the great and promising talents, and we at McLaren wanted to have him. We were not able to sign him at that time,” Whitmarsh confirmed.
Keeping in mind Vettel signed contract with Red Bull Racing lasts until 2012, McLaren will have to wait and evaluate the German’s performance until then.
“If he continues to develop so fantastically, then at the end of his contract I will try once again to get him,” revealed Whitmarsh.
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