Formula One News

Sebastian Vettel Bio

Sebastian Vettel became the youngest-ever Formula One World Champion in 2010 when he clinched the title at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. Sebastian Vettel currently drivers for the Red Bull Racing Team.

Vettel made his step into Formula One when he was signed as BMW’s test driver from the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix, making his F1 race debut a year later at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix when he was called in to replace an injured Robert Kubica.

Vettel also broke a number of records on his F1 debut, when he became the sixth youngest driver to start a grand prix and also the youngest driver to finish the race in the points. Vettel finished the race eighth. Although, Vettel returned to his role as test driver for the BMW team, it wasn’t long before he was back racing in F1 after he signed a deal with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team to replace Scott Speed for the remainder of the 2007 season.

The young German driver made his Toro Rosso debut at the 2007 Hungarian GP, and almost scored Toro Rosso’s first podium finish at the Japanese GP in the same year. However a crash with Mark Webber brought an end to that dream.

Vettel remained with Toro Rosso for the 2008 season where he partnered Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais. Even though Bourdais produced the better results at the start of the season, it was Vettel who came to the fore with the introduction of the STR3. The young driver soon began producing results many predicted were beyond the car’s capabilities, including a pole position and a race victory at a wet Italian Grand Prix.

It was this win and outstanding performance that sealed Vettel a seat at Toro Rosso’s bigger sister team Red Bull Racing. Vettel joined Red Bull for the 2009 season, and he didn’t disappoint, taking four race victories as he fought with eventual 2009 World Champion, Jenson Button for the title.

Vettel was back with the Red Bull team for the 2010 season. Although, the team suffered moments of fighting and arguments within the team, as the battle for the championship title continued. Vettel’s team-mate Mark Webber complained that the team showed favouritism towards Vettel. The Australian driver even went as far as to declare “not too bad for a number two driver” over the radio to team principal, Chris Horner after crossing the line first at the 2010 British Grand Prix. Although, the reason behind this comment weren’t without reason, after the decision was taken by the team to remove a new upgraded front wing from Webber’s car to replace the upgraded front wing of Vettel’s car, after the young German driver broke his new wing in one of the practice sessions before qualifying. Furthermore, the problem wasn’t helped when the duo crashed into each other in Turkey while fighting for the win.

Even though the two drivers weren’t the best of friends for a good part of the season they did still make a great duo. Between them they took fourteen out of a possible nineteen pole positions and nine wins over the season.

The Championship battle went down to the last race of the season, with four drivers still in contention for the title. Vettel stood third in the standings behind Fernando Alonso and his team-mate Mark Webber, as the drivers lined up on the grid for the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Starting on pole Vettel did everything he could to ensure he took the title. He put in a flawless performance, which when coupled with pit strategy errors by Ferrari and Webber’s side of the Red Bull garage, saw Vettel crowned F1’s youngest ever World Champion.