Sebastian Vettel, From BMW Sauber to Triple World Champion - Part 1

Sebastian Vettel has had a very impressive rise to the top, in this two part series Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths take a look at his career in Formula 1. 

As we enter another Formula One season of what promises to be another thrilling campaign, I have decided to look back at one of the current drivers stunning career. This driver had won three world drivers championships in only six seasons, he is only 25 years old and could become the greatest ever. Yes you guessed it its Sebastian Vettel.

Sebastian began his career at BMW Sauber and had worked his way up to were he is today. To this date he has already rose to third place in the most pole positions by a driver, only behind the late great Ayrton Senna and fellow countryman Michael Schumacher.Like many of his fellow competitors Vettel has had to work his way up the grid,his team-mate Mark Webber began his career in 2002 driving for the late Minardi team. 

Fernando Alonso also began his career at Minardi, however some drivers have been lucky to start their won careers with such an established team.Lewis Hamilton began at McLaren in 2007 and Jacques Villeneuve began at Williams in 1996. Now sit back and get ready to relive the triple world champions career all over again. So before we get to Vettel's championship winning years, lets start at the very beginning, arriving on the scene in 2007 for BMW Sauber.

2007: BMW Sauber/ Scuderia Toro Rosso - 14th in Drivers Championship - 6 points 

Vettel makes his debut at the 2007 US GP, finishing in 8th place

In 2006 Sebastian Vettel was appointed as BMW Saubers test driver after their previous test driver Robert Kubica had moved to a race seat replacing 1997 world champion Jaques Villeneuve after the Canadian was injured in an accident at the Hockenhiem circuit. The relationship continued in 2007, Vettel staying as test driver, with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld as the main drivers. As the championship took to the streets of Montreal, BMW Sauber were running in 3rd place in the constructors championship, with both drivers consistently scoring points. However the events that occurred during the the Grand Prix would trigger the start of Vettel's career. Robert Kubica was involved in a huge accident with the Toyota of Jarno Trulli going into the hairpin at turn 10. The impact caused Kubica to lose consciousness, amazingly though Robert only sustained a sprained ankle and concussion.

However on medical advice he was forced to sit out of the next grand prix in the United States, Vettel was appointed to replace Kubica for this race, it was the beginning of something special. Vettel put in a stunning performance in qualifying, he managed to work his way into Q3 and he qualified 7th on the grid, ahead of the likes of David Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher. He started poorly running wide into turn 1 losing a few places, however thanks to a great strategy and raw pace he finished the race in 8th place becoming the youngest driver ever to score a point at 19 years and 349 days old. Despite this being his only race for the team, it had attracted the attention of Red Bulls sister team

Toro Rosso. American Scott Speed was let go by the team after the European Grand Prix and so Vettel was signed up by the Italian team making his debut at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

His first race was a struggle, qualifying in 20th place 4 places behind new team-mate Vintantonio Liuzzi. The race was a struggle as well, limping home to 16th place, a lap down on eventual winner Lewis Hamilton. The next two races were disastrous finishing right down the field, in Turkey he finished 19th and in Italy he finished 18th. The 15th round of the championship was at the new Fuji Speedway which hosted the championship decider of 1976 between Britain James Hunt and Austrian Niki Lauda. The track hadn't hosted a Formula One race since 1977. Vettel qualified an excellent 9th place in a session consumed with rain. A dark, gloomy atmosphere arose on race day, The rain had continued to fall constantly, the race officials had no choice but to start the race behind the safety car. 

Sebastian Vettel celebrating his 4th place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix

When the safety car came in Vettel flew into the first corner, unbelievably coming out in 3rd place behind the two McLaren's of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. For much of the race Vettel would consistently be at the front of the pack, challenging for a podium position. The safety car was brought out when Alonso aquaplaned of the track and into the barriers. On lap 45 while behind the safety car, Vettel suddenly crashed into the back of Australian Mark Webber causing terminal damage to both cars. After returning to the garage, he broke down in tears. The stewards handed him a 10 place grid penalty for China, but this was later reduced for a reprimand when new evidence was presented to the FIA, it began an investigation of Lewis Hamilton for dangerous driving and causing the collision himself.

Despite the pain from Fuji, China would make it all up when Vettel came home in 4th place, his best result in his short Formula One career, with team-mate Liuzzi coming home in 6th, a phenomenal result for Toro Rosso. He did finish the season with a retirement in Brazil, but it was good enough for a race seat in 2008. Sebastian Vettel has begun his quest to become the greatest ever.

2008: Scuderia Toro Rosso - 8th in Drivers Championship - 35 points

Sebastian Vettel was preparing for his first full season in Formula One once again with the Toro Rosso team, this time being partnered by 4 time champ car champion Sebastian Bourdais. The 2008 season didn't start well for Vettel as the first four races resulted in retirement, three retirements happened on the first lap. So Vettel would have to wait until the 5th round in Turkey for his first classified finish of the season, all be it in a disappointing 17th position. Vettel's season turned a corner when a he drive a superb race, despite qualifying 18th he finished a creditable 5th, just holding of the Honda of Rubens Barrichello. 

Vettel had a good first full season in F1, scoring 35 points

The Canadian Grand Prix brought another points finish with an 8th place and Vettel even managed an 8th place at his home grand prix. Even though in the next round in Hungary he failed to finish, the season would become a fairytale. A 6th place at the European Grand prix at the new Valencia street circuit and another 5th place this time at the legendary Spa Francorchamps. However the next round would change Vettel's career forever. The championship took to Ferrari's and Vettel's team Toro Rosso's home race in Monza, and the weather forecast looked bleak with rain set for both qualifying and the race.

Vettel came on top of the time sheets in Q2 to everyone amazement, the weekend got better when astonishingly he qualified on pole position, the first for not just himself but for the Toro Rosso team. He became the youngest pole sitter in the sports history, beating Fernando Alonso's pole position lap at Malaysia in 2003. On Sunday the weather was atrocious, but the race was aloud to go ahead, the race would start behind the safety car. Vettel drove a superb race maintaining a sizable gap to the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen behind. After 53 laps of intense driving, Vettel crossed the line to win the Italian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest ever to win a race. The win was also special for the Toro Rosso team, not only was it there first win but because it was at their home race.

The season continued with more spectacular drivers from the German, a 5th place in Singapore was followed by a 6th place at Suzuka. The season finale was at Interlagos, Brazil, Vettel was looking to end the season on a high, meanwhile Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa were in a battle of their own, fighting for the title. He qualified a modest 7th with his team-mate just two places behind. Vettel drove a solid race and even went into battle with title contender Lewis Hamilton on lap 69 and passed him into the final corner. Lewis actually had to get back passed Vettel to have a chance to win the title, as Felipe Massa was leading the race in front of his beloved home fans.

Here he celebrates his maiden F1 victory at the 2008 Italian GP

As the race entered its climax, Massa crossed the line to win the race, the waiting game began for the Brazilian. Vettel was in 5th with Lewis still stuck behind in 6th. Currently the championship would mean Felipe Massa would win the title based on the number of wins. However Timo Glock who was running in 4th place was on dry tyres and crawling at a snails pace. In the final corner both Vettel and Hamilton passed Glock, Vettel finishing his season in style, but Lewis Hamilton was crowned the 2008 Formula One World Champion. 

At the end of the season Vettel finished 8th in the drivers standings with 35 points, 31 more than his team-mate Bourdais. At the end of the year there was speculation that Vettel would take over from the now retired David Coulthard at Red Bull. The rumours became true Vettel would partner Australia Mark Webber for 2009, the quest continued.

2009: Red Bull Racing - 2nd in drivers championship - 84 points

Vettel was confirmed at Red Bull early in 2008

Another season was about to begin and it was a new age in Vettel's career. Now with the Red Bull team, partnering Australian Mark Webber, he was looking to mount a serious challenge on the world championship. The season started brightly, he managed to qualify in 3rd place, behind both Brawn's of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Brawn had just taken over from Honda, who had pulled out of the sport in late 2008, leaving both Button and Barrichello without a drive. However Ross Brawn, the legendary designer how previously had a hugely successful period with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher, brought the remainder of the team to become Brawn GP.

He had a successful debut season for Red Bull, with four victories

Unfortunately for Vettel the race didn't go as well. While running in 2nd place, on the penultimate lap BMW Saubers Robert Kubica tried to overtake him into turn 3. Both made contact, Vettel losing his front wing. But around the next corner, both Vettel and Kubica crashed into the barriers, losing their chance of a podium finish. In Malaysia things got worse when Vettel spun out of  the race on lap 30, due to the torrential rain, classified in 15th place. The next round was in China and Vettel managed to secure his first pole position of the season, the first pole position for the Red Bull team with team-mate Mark Webber in 3rd.

Once again the race was hindered by torrential rain, but this didn't phase Vettel. He dominated the entire race, winning by 10 seconds from team-mate Webber. This was the first win for the Red Bull team. The next three races were a mix of good and bed results. In Bahrain he finished in 2nd, in Spain he managed a 4th place, however Monaco was the downturn when going into turn 1 Vettel slid into the barrier due to a brake failure. Despite his retirement in Monaco the next three races made up for the disappointment of that race. 

Sebastian celebrating his win in China

In Turkey he qualified on pole but finished 3rd after a mistake on the first lap handing Jenson Button the lead. At Silverstone a brilliant pole position and win put his championship aspirations back on track and at his home grand prix he finished in 2nd place behind team-mate Mark Webber, who scored his first Formula One victory after 130 races in F1. However the season took a huge setback when he retired in back to back races. In Hungary suspension failure was the fault and at the European Grand Prix his engine gave way.

The next round took to the Spa Francorchamps circuit nestled in the woods. Vettel qualified a very disappointing 8th, with to everyone's amazement Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella on pole, Force India's first ever pole position. The race went a lot better a great strategy paid off and Vettel managed to steer his way to 3rd place. Monza was another set back as title rivals Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button finished 1-2, while Vettel languished back in 8th. The next two rounds brought him back in contention. Singapore produced a 4th place, just ahead of Button with Barrichello another place behind in 6th.

Suzuka brought one of Vettel's best victories. He qualified on pole and from the get go was on his game, holding off Toyota's Jarno Trulli for the win, with Barrichello in 7th and Button in 8th. Brazil took centre stage for the penultimate round of the championship. Once again the championship took a twist, torrential rain in qualifying saw Vettel qualify way back in 15th. Button didn't do to much better with 14th place on the grid. Meanwhile the man on pole was Barrichello, the Brazilian fans couldn't of been happier, advantage Barrichello. The race was a different story to qualifying, Vettel and Button safely made their way though the field, while Barrichello fell backwards to 4th. 

He scored a 1-2 with team-mate Mark Webber in Abu Dhabi

But Barrichello's Interlagos jinx hit him once again and hit him hard. a puncture finished his title hopes. Even though Vettel crossed the line 4th, Jenson Button was classified in 5th place taking the 2009 world championship with a race still to go. Despite the setback of losing out on the championship, this didn't dent Vettel's pride. At the final round a new track was unveiled in the desert sands of Abu Dhabi. Vettel qualified 2nd behind former world champion Lewis Hamilton. During the race, Vettel was keeping up with race leader Hamilton, but on lap 19 Lewis retired from the race with brake failure. After Hamilton's retirement Vettel didn't look back, taking his 4th win of the season securing the runner up spot in the championship. 

Vettel finished 14.5 points better off than team-mate Mark Webber, firmly establishing himself as the teams number 1 driver. Part 1 has told us the amazing story of how Vettel came alive into the Formula One world, Part 2 will show us his amazing success pay off for himself, I hope you will join us on this incredible journey.

©HLG_F1

Stay tuned for part 2!