Know the F1 stars: Sebastian Vettel
In 2006 Sebastian Vettel became the youngest Formula One driver to drive at a Grand Prix meeting, at 19 years and 53 days.
He also went on to become the youngest driver to score points in a Grand Prix, youngest to secure pole position and youngest to win a race with a stunning wet-weather victory at Monza in 2008.
The 21-year-old German driver started on the pole and relinquished the lead only when he pitted twice. It was his first F1 victory in his 22nd Grand Prix start. Fernando Alonso held the previous record of youngest Formula One winner when he captured the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2003. Alonso was 22 years old at the time.
FACT FILE
Date of Birth 03/07/1987
Place of Birth Heppenheim
Nationality German
Team Red Bull
Podiums 8
Points 110
Grand Prix entered 41
World Championships 0
Highest race finish 1 (x4)
Highest grid position 1 (x5)
KNOW YOUR STARS
- Vettel started racing karts in 1995, winning various titles such as the Junior Monaco Kart Cup (2001).
- In 2003, he upgraded to open-wheel cars, and won the 2004 German Formula BMW Championship with 18 victories from 20 races.
- In 2005 he drove for ASL Mucke Motorsport in the Formula Three Euroseries and claimed the year’s top rookie honours.
- He did not win any races, but this was largely due to the championship’s domination by Lewis Hamilton.
- Vettel competed in the 2007 Race of Champions, representing the German team alongside Michael Schumacher. . Vettel and Schumacher won the Nation’s Cup Title, after exciting finals.
- Vettel had to beat two RoC champions, Heikki Kovalainen and Marcus Grönholm, after Schumacher stalled his car.
- The German is dating Hanna Prater who is studying textile and design in Baden-Württemberg.
- Apparently Vettel is a fan of classic English comedy, a taste encouraged by Hanna’s half-English mother.
