Sebastien Vettel

Germany’s Sebastian Vettel is the youngest ever driver to win a Grand Prix. Despite being new to the sport, Vettel’s age has helped him break a number of other records in racing, including being the youngest driver to lead a race as well as the youngest driver to be fined in a race. In 2009 Vettel came within two races of winning the Drivers Championship, but was eventually forced to settle for 2nd place in the rankings.

Nationality: German
Date of Birth: 03/07/1987
Team: Red Bull
World Championship Titles: 0
First Race: 2007 United States Grand Prix
First Win: 2008 Italian Grand Prix
Car Number: 5
2009 Championship Position: 2nd

Sebastian Vettel began racing as an eight year old in the German Kart series. By the age of 16 Vettel had graduated to open wheel cars, racing in the Formula BMW Championship, and a year later proved his ability by winning the championship at the age of 17.

Vettel’s success in the BMW Championship assisted him in his promotion to Formula 3 racing, where he won the award for best rookie in his debut season. He finished the championship in second place in his second season.

In 2006 Vettel joined BMW Sauber as a test driver after Jacques Villenueve’s departure from the team. Vettel spent two seasons at BMW, making his racing debut in Formula One racing at the US Grand Prix, where he became the youngest ever driver to score a point.

Midway through the 2007 season BMW Sauber released Vettel to join the Scuderia Toro Rosso team. Despite racing for a team still finding its feet, Vettel was impressive, taking 4th place at the Chinese Grand Prix, and finishing the season in 14th position despite having missed five races.

At the 2008 Italian Grand Prix Vettel became the youngest driver in the history of Formula One to win a race, simultaneously scoring the first Grand Prix win for either of the Red Bull teams. Following the win Vettel was celebrated as the ‘new Schumacher’ by the press. Vettel continued to perform well for the remainder of the season, achieving three more points finishes despite racing in one of the least competitive cars on the track.

The 2009 saw a turnaround in Vettel’s fortunes. With Red Bull at last producing a competitive car, Vettel was shunted to the forefront of the race for the Drivers Championship. The German won four races during the course of the season, and made the podium on another two occasions.

He was, however, unable to hunt down Jenson Button in the title race, with three retirements ultimately proving to be the difference between the young German and the title winner.