Formula One Title Contender Countdown: Sebastian Vettel

Today saw the first track action of the weekend in Abu Dhabi, and it's also the time at which we take a look at the next man in our series of title contender bulletins.

Sebastian Vettel

Born: 03/07/1987

Birthplace: Heppenheim, Germany

Team: Red Bull Racing

Race victories: 9

The youngest of our four title contenders, Vettel has so far been considered as the baby of the pack since his record breaking appearance as a Friday tester with BMW-Sauber in 2006.

Since then, he has had a meteoric rise through the ranks which was capped with a maiden victory in an under-fancied Toro Rosso at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

Having just missed out on championship glory in 2009, the young German has put in some stunning drives throughout 2010, albeit being a season that has been littered with mistakes and unreliability which may end up costing him. 

Vettel has shadowed elder drivers such as Robert Kubica and Lewis Hamilton through European feeder series, and won his national single seater championship in 2004. After a year in Formula 3 he was drafted in as a test driver for BMW-Sauber before being planted in the Red Bull sister team.

A quick-witted and amiable man, Vettel has always expressed his like for typical British humour and brings with him an air of relaxation which will serve him well in the pressure chamber of Formula One for years to come. 

After a fierce rivalry with his own team mate through the 2010 season, it remains to be seen whether the youngest of our contenders can fulfil his often-underestimated potential come Sunday afternoon.

William Hill odds: 11/2

Vettel will become champion if: 

He has to finish at least second. If he finishes third or below, he cannot win the championship. If Vettel finishes third the best he could do is lose the championship to Alonso on countback. 

If Vettel wins: 

He will finish ahead of Webber. If Webber finishes second, Vettel would be ahead of him on countback. 

Alonso has to finish fifth or below (Alonso finishing fifth will give the title to Vettel on countback).

If Vettel finishes seond: 

He will still finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton, even if Hamilton wins the race. Webber has to finish fifth or below, AND Alonso has to finish ninth or below.