Sebastian Vettel: F1's New Wonderboy?

Alex Johnson — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:08:41 -0400

Sebastian Vettel: could this be a name to enter F1 history books in the future?

After a stunning performance in Monza this year, many are tipping the German starlet to go on to bigger and better things. Currently at Red Bull's unofficial 'B' team (Toro Rosso), it has been announced Vettel will replace the retiring David Coulthard at Red Bull to partner Mark Webber next year; this is only just the start for the talented youngster.

Vettel's big break came in 2006 when he became BMW Sauber's third driver. He was announced as the test driver for them in 2007. He entered his first race (the U.S. Grand Prix) after Robert Kubica was injured in a crash in Montreal, Canado.

Vettel started the U.S. Grand Prix in seventh and finished eighth, making him the youngest driver ever to claim a point (beating Jenson Button's record). Soon, he replaced Scott Speed at Toro Rosso and had further signed with the team for 2008.

However, Vettel was unable to keep up his strong showing in the United States. In Fuji, he was up to third, but then had a collision with Mark Webber's Red Bull. However, he bounced back to claim fourth place at China, a personal and team best.

The 2008 season looked set to be bigger and better for Vettel. However, it took him five races before he even finished.

He then claimed his first points in Monaco after finishing fifth, following that up with one more point in Canada. He then came 12th in France, retired in Silverstone, and came eighth in Germany. He impressed many in the European Grand Prix finishing 6th.

This year's Italian Grand Prix was when the boy became a man. He became Formula One's youngest pole winner, being quickest in the second and third stages of qualifying.

He was able to contain Heikki Kovalainen and win by 12.5 seconds. Aged just 21 years and 74 days, he became the youngest winner ever in F1, beating Fernando Alonso's record. It was also the first win for Toro Rosso who still has Minardi "DNA." (Minardi was the team's banner before they came under partial Red Bull ownership).

There has been high praise for Vettel. Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz believes Vettel will be one of Formula One's big stars. "Vettel is one of the young guys with extraordinary potential. He is fast, he is intelligent, and he is very interested in the technical side."

His team boss and co-team owner, Gerhard Berger, shared similar sentiment. "As he proved today, he can win races, but he's going to win world championships. He's a cool guy" Current leader of the standings, Lewis Hamilton, said the Monza victory shows "How good he is."

The youngest, and double, world champion Fernando Alonso said Vettel's victory was "Well deserved." The German media have nicknamed him "Baby Schumi," although Vettel has played this title down.

So what is on the horizon for Formula one's new youngster? At the end of 2007, McLaren approached Toro Rosso to get Vettel as a replacement for Alonso. Ferrari are rumoured to be interested for next year, but Red Bull claim Vettel will be joining them as a replacement for Coulthard.

One thing is almost certain though: he can only get better.

What Lies Ahead in Fernando Alonso's F1 Future?

Alex Johnson — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:04:20 -0400

As this year's fabulous Formula One season reaches its climax, many are pondering where two-time former champion Fernando Alonso will be driving next year.

The main options that seem to be on the horizon for the Spaniard are BMW-Sauber or Honda. However the latter seems to be very unlikely, as they cannot offer the competitive level that Alonso craves so desperately after leaving McLaren last year by mutual consent.

BMW-Sauber seems a more likely option out of his available choices; Alonso and Robert Kubica are both known to be very good friends, but does Kubica want another potential world champion in a team with him?

Many argue Alonso is the best F1 driver in the league, but with Ferrari offering Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen contract extensions to 2011, and the slim chance of a reunion with Ron Dennis seems even slimmer with Heikki Kovalainen staying with the team next season.

You have to question whether Alonso would tolerate another season without a win, so it surely rules Honda out as his next team or staying with Renault, where he has not been able to bring back the magic touch to the team for which he won two back-to-back world titles.

It is well known by many that at BMW-Sauber the relationship has gone sour. Kubica is not happy with the team's management—ironically like Alonso was with Ron Dennis at McLaren—so Alonso could be lining up on the grid with Nick Heidfeld.

You do question whether teams want to bring him aboard. Alonso reminds me of Dimitar Berbatov, the new striker at Manchester United—a world-class talent whom any team would dream of signing, but they would not tolerate his behavior.

True, we have only heard McLaren's view on Alonso, but there are two sides to every story; Alonso could tell a different story. After all, at Interlagos last year, when he had the chance to win the title, the team was telling him to drop back for Hamilton.

I agree in some parts he was made to just try and help Hamilton win the title, seeing as he was going for the hat-trick of titles. I think only time will tell us in this.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Alex Johnson

Sebastian Vettel: F1's New Wonderboy?

What Lies Ahead in Fernando Alonso's F1 Future?