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| Sebastian Vettel |
Nationality German
Podiums 34
Points 730
Grand Prix entered 78
World Championships 1
Highest race finish 1 (x20)
Highest grid position 1 (x27)
Date of Birth 03/07/1987
Place of Birth Heppenheim
By the time he reached his twenties, Sebastian Vettel Had already been racing for 12 years. After kick-starting his career in 1995 at a local kart track in his native Germany, It was not long before Vettel notched up Had Several regional championships. Soon tiring of the local competition, however, he began to race on a European level.
Before long he’d won the region’s junior kart title and even clinched victories at prestigious annual events in Monaco and Paris-Bercy. As the German began to make a name for himself, he attracted the attentions of Red Bull, who swiftly signed him up to their young driver programme in 1998.
With Red Bull’s backing, Vettel continued to perform well and in 2000 was invited to join the Austrian drinks company’s junior team. Two seasons of karting later, Vettel - then aged just 15 - was ready to make the switch to single-seater racing. Making his debut in the hugely-competitive Formula BMW series in 2003, Vettel faced a tough challenge, but he didn’t disappoint, scoring five wins and ending the season second in the championship.
During his second season, however, he went one better, winning 18 victories from 20 events. In fact he was so dominant he took the title with a massive 124-point advantage. Once champion, he wanted a fresh challenge and decided to move to the Formula Three Euro Series. Despite the switch, his strong links with BMW remained and in September 2005 he was invited to test a BMW Williams Formula One car.
Though he failed to take the title during two seasons in F3, Vettel continued to make an impact and, in August 2006, was BMW Sauber’s first choice to replace third driver Robert Kubica, who had been promoted to a race seat following Jacques Villeneuve’s sudden departure.
Though many in the Formula One paddock hadn’t heard of him, Vettel was keen to make an immediate impression. He succeeded. After finishing his first practice session on top of the timesheets, Vettel didn’t look back and notched up a series of successful Friday outings for the German-Swiss team. When the season finished, it came as no surprise that BMW Sauber decided to retain Vettel for 2007.
He combined his F1 testing commitments with impressive performances in the World Series by Renault, before getting an unexpected race call-up for the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis, standing in for an injured Kubica. He acquitted himself in style, eighth place making him the youngest man ever to score a world championship point.
Less than two months later he was rewarded with a full-time race seat with Toro Rosso, replacing departing American Scott Speed from the Hungarian round onwards. He scored the team's best ever result with a fourth place in China and was retained for 2008, when, after a difficult start to the season, he went from strength to strength to firmly establish himself as a potential future champion, winning his and Toro Rosso’s first Grand Prix in Italy and earning a switch to Red Bull’s ‘senior’ RBR team for 2009.
Vettel's star continued to rise as Red Bull emerged as the only serious contender to Brawn GP in the fight for the '09 championship. He scored the team's first pole and race win in China and went on to take a further three victories en route to the runner-up spot in the driver standings, just 11 points shy of Jenson Button.
2002
Wins German and European Junior karting titles.
2003
Claims second place in the Formula BMW ADAC championship after winning five of the 19 races.
2004
Formula BMW ADAC champion - finishes on podium in all 20 races, taking 18 victories.
2005
Fifth in the Formula 3 Euro Series, declared best rookie driver after clinching five podiums. Enjoys first Formula One test with BMW Williams at Jerez.
2006
Runner-up in Formula Three Euro Series after three race wins. Competes in three World Series by Renault events, winning two. Named BMW Sauber's Friday test and reserve driver - five successful third-driver outings.
2007
Becomes sport's youngest point scorer when he stands in for BMW's Robert Kubica at Indy, finishing eighth. Secures full-time Toro Rosso race seat from August's Hungarian Grand Prix and earns the team their best result to date with fourth place in China.
2008
First full season of Formula One sees him become the sport's youngest winner with a stunning wet-weather victory at Monza. Finishes eighth overall with 35 points and rewarded with a switch from Toro Rosso to Red Bull's 'senior' RBR team for 2009.
2009
Continues to make the headlines for all the right reasons. Scores Red Bull's maiden pole and win in China, before winning again at Silverstone and Suzuka. A final victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix helps him clinch second in the drivers' championship.
2010
Despite some driver errors and technical maladies - plus tense rivalry with team mate Webber - supreme pace brings 10 poles and five victories en route to becoming youngest champion in F1 history. Comes from third in standings to clinch title with win at final round in Abu Dhabi.
2011
Superb start to title defence, as six wins and seven poles from first eight rounds make him firm favourite to retain his crown with Red Bull. Goes on to become youngest double world champion in Formula One history, with four rounds to spare.
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| The champions F1 2010-2011 |
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