Sebastian Vettel

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born and raised in Heppenheim, Vettel began competitive kart racing aged eight. After a successful karting career—culminating in his victory at the junior European Championship in 2001—Vettel graduated to junior formulae. He started his career in Formula BMW ADAC, dominating the championship in 2004 with 18 wins from 20 races. Vettel then progressed to the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2005, taking several victories and finishing runner-up to Paul di Resta the following season. A test driver for BMW Sauber since 2006, Vettel made his Formula One debut at the 2007 United States Grand Prix. Vettel replaced Scott Speed at Toro Rosso after the European Grand Prix for the remainder of the 2007 season, as part of the Red Bull Junior Team. Retaining his seat for 2008, Vettel achieved his maiden pole position and victory at the Italian Grand Prix to become the then-youngest driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix. Vettel was promoted to parent team Red Bull in 2009, taking several wins as he finished runner-up to Jenson Button in the World Drivers' Championship. After winning the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2010, Vettel became the youngest-ever Formula One World Drivers' Champion, aged 23. He won his second and third championships in 2011 and 2012, dominating the former and winning the latter amidst a close title battle with Fernando Alonso. Vettel set several records in 2013, winning 13 Grands Prix—including a then-record nine consecutive victories—to claim his fourth consecutive title with Red Bull. After a winless 2014 campaign, Vettel signed for Ferrari, replacing Alonso to partner Kimi Räikkönen; he took several wins in his debut season, finishing third in the standings. Following another winless season in 2016, Vettel emerged as the closest challenger to Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, finishing runner-up in 2017 and 2018 after achieving several victories across both campaigns. Partnered by Charles Leclerc for 2019, Vettel took the final win of his career at the Singapore Grand Prix before leaving Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season. Vettel joined the recently established Aston Martin in 2021, where he scored his final podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Vettel retired at the end of the 2022 season, having achieved the fourth-most wins (53), fourth-most pole positions (57), fifth-most fastest laps (38), and fourth-most podium finishes (122) in Form

In Their Own Story

At the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel crossed the finish line knowing he had secured his second World Championship. At 24 years and 98 days, he became the youngest driver to defend a title, a feat that cemented his place in Formula One history. The season had been a masterclass in consistency, with Vettel and Red Bull Racing defending both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. The introduction of DRS and Pirelli tyres added new variables, but Vettel adapted seamlessly. His victory in Japan was the culmination of a year where he outlasted four other World Champions on the grid, proving that his 2010 title was no fluke.

Reader's Guide

Vettel began karting at the age of three, and began racing in karts series in 1995 at the age of eight. He was accepted into the Red Bull Junior Team in 1998, and won various titles, such as the Junior Monaco Kart Cup in 2001. He was promoted to open-wheel cars in 2003, and was given a chance by Derrick Walker to test a Reynard Motorsport Champ Car in a two-day private test at the Homestead–Miami Speedway. A year later, he won the 2004 Formula BMW ADAC championship with 18 victories from 20 races. Vettel drove for ASL Mücke Motorsport in the 2005 Formula 3 Euro Series. He was placed fifth in the final standings with 63 points and won the Rookie Cup. He tested for the Williams Formula One team later that year as a reward for his Formula BMW success. Vettel then went on to test for the BMW Sauber Formula One team. Vettel was promoted to test driver for BMW Sauber in 2006, and participated in the 2006 Formula 3 Euro Series, finishing as runner-up. He also competed in the 2006 Formula Renault 3.5 Series, where he finished first and second at Misano in his first two races. In the next round at Spa-Francorchamps, his finger was almost sliced off by flying debris following an accident, and he was expected to be out for several weeks. Nevertheless, he managed to compete in the 2006 Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort the following weekend, where he finished in sixth place. Vettel competed in the 2007 Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and took his first win at the Nürburgring. He led the championship when he was called up permanently by the BMW Sauber Formula One team. Vettel became BMW Sauber's third driver at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix, when former incumbent Robert Kubica replaced Jacques Villeneuve as second driver for the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. On his testing debut, Vettel set the fastest time in the second Friday free practice. Vettel became the then-youngest Formula One driver to participate in a Grand Prix weekend at 19 years and 53 days. He also set a record for the shortest time before first career fine, collecting his first fine in nine seconds by exceeding the pitlane speed limit on the way to the track. In his second testing session at the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, he set the fastest time in both Friday practice sessions. Vettel was confirmed as BMW's test driver for 2007. Following Kubica's crash at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, Vettel was named his replacem

Did You Know?

• Vettel's childhood heroes were 'The three Michaels': Michael Schumacher, Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson.
• He is a fan of the Beatles, with his favourite song being 'Drive My Car'.
• Vettel won the Nations' Cup five times from 2007 to 2011, representing Germany alongside Michael Schumacher.
• He became the youngest driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, aged 21 years and 74 days.

Sebastian Vettel's Historic Championship Defense

In the 65th season of Formula One, Sebastian Vettel stood as the defending Drivers' Champion alongside his Red Bull Racing team, who were also defending Constructors' Champions. This campaign marked a significant milestone in motorsport history when Vettel secured his second world title at the Japanese Grand Prix. At just 24 years and 98 days old, he became the youngest driver ever to defend a World Championship, solidifying his status as one of only five reigning champions on that year's grid. His success was instrumental in helping Red Bull retain their Constructors' crown as well. This season also introduced major technical changes, including the debut of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) designed to aid overtaking and the return of Pirelli as the sole tire supplier after a twenty-year absence since 1991. While Vettel dominated the championship fight, the calendar faced disruptions with the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix, yet his performance remained consistent enough to clinch the title before the season's conclusion.

Grid Dynamics and Team Restructuring

The 2011 grid saw significant administrative and commercial shifts following a new Concorde Agreement signed in August 2009. While no new teams successfully joined after failed attempts by applicants like ART Grand Prix and a joint Villeneuve-Durango effort, existing constructors underwent major rebranding. Ferrari removed the Marlboro name from their official title due to tobacco concerns, while Force India was renamed Sahara Force India following a stake purchase by an Indian conglomerate. The most complex changes occurred within the Lotus and Renault entities; Tony Fernandes acquired the Team Lotus name, leading to a legal dispute with Lotus Cars, while Genii Capital took full ownership of the Renault team, rebranding it as Lotus Renault GP with a British license. Additionally, BMW Sauber reverted simply to Sauber after television rights issues were resolved, and Infiniti became a major sponsor for Red Bull Racing, creating a unique works partnership that provided factory support without an engine re-brand.

Technical Evolution and Supplier Shifts

The 2011 season represented a pivotal technical turning point in Formula One history, characterized by the return of Pirelli as the exclusive tire supplier. This marked their first involvement since 1991, replacing Bridgestone for all competing teams under the new regulatory framework established by the FIA and team associations. Alongside this supply change, the sport introduced the Drag Reduction System (DRS), a mechanical overtaking aid designed to increase on-track action, which was utilized throughout the season's twenty-round calendar. Engine partnerships also saw realignment; Lotus Racing terminated their deal with Cosworth to switch to Renault engines for 2011, while Red Bull secured full factory support from Renault through an Infiniti sponsorship deal. These technical adjustments were implemented across a grid that included six constructors utilizing free practice drivers at various points, all adhering to the provisional entry lists revised in late 2010.

Ownership Flux and Commercial Challenges

Behind the scenes of the 2011 championship, team ownership structures faced intense scrutiny and frequent changes. The Hispania Racing Team saw a shift when Thesan Capital purchased a controlling stake from José Ramón Carabante, aiming to make the operation more Spanish while maintaining existing operational structures under principal Colin Kolles. Similarly, the path for new entrants proved difficult; despite fifteen initial bids including efforts by Jacques Villeneuve and Epsilon Euskadi, none met the FIA's strict funding or engineering requirements, leaving a grid slot vacant. The Lotus situation highlighted commercial complexities, where confusion over ownership between Genii Capital, Renault, and Lotus Cars required public clarification from team principal Éric Boullier. These financial and legal maneuvers underscored the precarious nature of Formula One teams during this era, even as established champions like Vettel focused on defending their titles amidst these turbulent organizational backdrops.