By Joe Murphy
One of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, that’s who. To date, the German driver has achieved 122 podiums in 280 races, across spells with four teams. One of these teams, Red Bull Racing, was the place of Vettel’s biggest achievements as he won four consecutive World Titles from 2010, something only three other drivers have ever done. All this, by the tender age of 26. There is more to this story, however…
He proved to have amazing talent from a young age and soon drew the attention of Gerhard Noack, a German track owner who had also worked with Michael Schumacher through his younger karting days. The support was good, but the sponsorship by a Red Bull went a long way to helping the then 12 year old’s development. In 2003, he then turned his attentions to actual motor racing and within a year, he had won the Junior BMW series with ease, posting 18 victories in his 20 races. Next, he honed his craft in the Formula Three Euro Series and the World Series by Renault.
Vettel’s trademark style then, and now, is one of pure race pace, couple with his almost traditional one-finger victory signal. Much like his childhood idol Michael Schumacher, he has become a sporting hero in his native homeland. The first signs of a future champion were first seen in the sport back at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix where Seb in his Torro Rosso (today’s Alpha Tauri), took the top step in one of the most memorable races of all time (as seen above). This came only one year after he had made his debut, after being a test driver for the two previous years. Only a further couple of years later, came his first World Title. During his dominant four year “era”, Vettel bettered Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari, teammate Mark Webber and even a young Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren. For the 2014, he opted for the move to Ferrari. The grass, as it turned out, wasn’t greener, on the other side.
The dominant decade for Mercedes was only just beginning and, despite his best efforts, the German couldn’t match Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg, in the years he was racing for the Italian team. In a desperate bid to better the British driver, his rivalry with Hamilton intensified and reached a turning point when the two came together under the safety car. This is where Seb, albeit temporarily, became the bad guy. Some boos from some crowds were the result, most noticeably in Silverstone. It wasn’t until a controversial stewards decision in Canada towards the end of his run with the team, overturned a race win in favour of Hamilton, after the German had run slightly wide and kept his lead over the Mercedes. His now famous moving of the signs was when Seb became the good guy again, and he hasn’t looked like going back since. After Charles Leclerc outscored Vettel in his debut season, the end was inevitable. After a musical goodbye in Abu Dhabi, many wondered if this was the end for the four-time Champion of the World.
Alas, no. Newly repackaged Aston Martin decided to partner the experience and mastery of Vettel with the young and improving Lance Stroll. And this is where you will find Vettel today. As he heads towards his 35th birthday later this year, Sebastian will line up on the 2022 grid, in what will be his fifteenth consecutive season in the sport.
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