2008 Italian Grand Prix

Lore & Background

Future four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel for the Toro Rosso team took a maiden victory, winning the 53-lap race from a maiden pole position. Heikki Kovalainen finished second in a McLaren, and Robert Kubica third in a BMW Sauber. Vettel began the race, started under the safety car, ahead of Kovalainen in second. Red Bull's Mark Webber started from third. Rain early in the race allowed Vettel to establish a solid lead over Kovalainen, which he extended as the track dried. Kubica and Fernando Alonso finished in the top four after starting from 11th and eighth, respectively. McLaren driver and Drivers' Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was able to move through the field after qualifying in 15th, finishing in seventh, one place behind rival Felipe Massa, of Ferrari. Vettel's victory made him the youngest driver to win a Formula One race, at 21 years 73 days in addition to giving Toro Rosso (which was formerly Minardi team) its maiden Formula One win despite using a 2007-spec engine, and also became the first German driver to win a race since Michael Schumacher at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. Vettel's record was broken by Max Verstappen aged 18 years and 228 days at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

In Their Own Story

The sky over Monza turned a bruised purple as the clouds opened, turning the Temple of Speed into a river. Puddles churned into white foam under the roar of engines, but in the cockpit of the STR3, Sebastian Vettel felt only clarity. The radio crackled with cautious updates from the pit wall, yet he saw what others missed: the grip returning just enough on the exit of Parabolica. He didn't lift. He pushed through the spray, the red livery a blur against the grey asphalt, while giants like Hamilton and Kovalainen faltered in their wake. As he crossed the line, the checkered flag was barely visible through the deluge, but the roar of the crowd cut through the rain instantly. It wasn't just a win; it was a coronation for the future king.

Reader's Guide

The race was held at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. Heavy rain prior to the race made the track very slippery, with more rain expected throughout the day. The race began behind the safety car because of the rain. Vettel retained his lead into the first corner after the safety car pulled in, and opened a lead of two seconds over Kovalainen. The track began to dry, and Vettel extended his lead. Massa scored one point more than Hamilton, narrowing the McLaren driver's lead in the Championship once more with four races remaining. Kovalainen's second-placed finish put McLaren closer to catching Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship.

Did You Know?

• Sebastian Vettel became the youngest driver to win a Formula One race, at 21 years 73 days.
• The victory was Toro Rosso's maiden Formula One win.
• Vettel also became the first German driver to win a race since Michael Schumacher at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.
• Vettel's record as youngest winner was broken by Max Verstappen at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.