Formula One racing knows no boundaries. Nationality, race, team affiliation, and even age cannot stop one from holding the wheel of an F1 car. Yes, age doesn't matter in Formula One. This famous adage has been affirmed by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel in his young career in Formula One.
Who is Vettel?
The German-born Vettel was dubbed by the German press as "Baby Schumi" because of his outstanding achievements and inspiring performances in Formula One racing at his young age. He has reached several mileages in the history of F1 as one of the youngest driver to achieve several records. The young Vettel is the youngest F1 driver to score points in a Grand Prix race. He is also the youngest to lead a race. Winning a race for the youngest driver is such a colossal feat. And being the youngest world championship runner-up driver in the history of the sports is one-in-a-million probability to happen in the fastest form of auto racing.
Sebastian Vettel was born on July 3, 1987 in Heppenheim, West Germany. In 1995, he started racing karts and winning numerous titles such as the Junior Monaco Kart Cup in 2001. He advanced to open-wheel cars in 2003 and became victorious in the 2004 German Formula BMW Championship winning 18 of 20 races.
The young German was top rookie awardee in 2005 as he drove for ASL Mucke Motorsport in Formula Three Euroseries. He collected 64 points in the final standings and placed fifth overall. Lewis Hamilton is a contemporary in Formula Three and dominated Vettel and other racers. With strong performances, he was rewarded by BMW Sauber F1 team as a test driver.
In 2007, Vettel was leading the World Series by Renault when he was called to become Sauber's permanent test driver. He became a replacement for Robert Kubica after crashing in Canada and hospitalized for injuries sustained in the accident.
Vettel made a momentous achievement by finishing eighth place in the US Grand Prix. He was the youngest driver to gain a world championship point at a young age of 19 years and 349 days. After this personal success, F1 big boss Bernie Ecclestone describes him as "the most talented young driver in Formula One" and destined for great things. In September 30, 2007 at the Japanese Grand Prix, he became the youngest driver to take the lead in a Formula One race.
On Sunday September 30, 2007, during the Japanese Grand Prix Vettel became the youngest driver to lead a Formula One race.
In a rainy weather at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Sebastian Vettel became the youngest F1 driver to win a Grand Prix race at the age of 21 years and 74 days while donning the colors of Toro Rosso F1 team. Prior to the race, he was at the pole position and also the youngest F1 driver to hold pole position of the race. With the impressive win, he got numerous compliments and rave reviews that made his transfer to Red Bull in season 2009.
The cheerful Vettel won four Grand Prix races for the season in 2009. He finished second place behind Brawn GP's champion driver Jenson Button. After the winning performances in season 2009, Vettel is a mark man by most F1 teams for his superb driving and impressive victories. He has shown the talent, skills and the heart to win his Grand Prix races.
In the current 2010 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull Racing team has dominated the field in the first six races with imposing wins for pole positions and championship points. In the Malaysian Grand Prix, he took his first win of the season ahead of his teammate Mark Webber.
However at the Turkish Grand Prix, both Red Bull cars were leading the race until Lap 40 when both cars involved in a crash with Vettel trying to overtake teammate Webber and collided with the other RB6 car. Vettel retired from the race with a badly damage car and losing his lead of the driver's championship with co-driver Webber. The incident of involving both Red Bull drivers created an unpleasant squabble within the organization. However management has denied that there is an internal squabble within Red Bull. The season is still a long way to race to the finish.
Sebastien Vettel might be young for his age in Formula One but made great strides in recording extraordinary feats in his career. Baby Schumi might rewrite the history of F1 at his young age.
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