Vettel drove a flawless race to win the Grand Prix and become World Champion. At 23 years and 135 days, he beat McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who was the youngest champion, by 166 days. Hamilton had won the title in 2008.
Vettel was also the youngest Formula One driver to drive at a Grand Prix meeting at 19 years and 53 days, when he took part in Friday practice at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix. He also went on to become the sixth youngest driver to start a Grand Prix at the 2007 US Grand Prix when he replaced the injured Robert Kubica. He also became the youngest driver to score points in the same race.
In 2008, he became the youngest driver to secure pole position when driving for Toro Rosso at the Italian Grand Prix. He went on to win the race, making him the youngest F1 race winner by nearly a year. He joined Red Bull and finished runner-up to Button last season.
After sipping sparkling rose water at the podium ceremony and trying to hold back his tears, Vettel said: “I am feeling empty and speechless. I can’t believe that I am a world champion now and I think it will take a long time to sink in. I don’t know how to express my feelings. It’s a special day in my life.
He added: “To be in the same list as my role models Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher is very special.
About becoming the youngest F1 champion, Vettel said: “I am proud to be the youngest world champion. Records are meant to be broken, so I am going to enjoy till someone does that.”
Vettel said he had no idea what was going on as he led the race. “I had no clue what was going and who’s running where. I was tempted to find out the track position of Alonso. Even my race engineer didn’t tell me anything over radio. I was trying to look at the screen. But, I think my engineer didn’t want me to get distracted. When I crossed the line, he screamed on the radio that “You have won the title,” revealed Vettel
About Renault’s Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov holding Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Mark Webber at bay, Vettel said: “Renault, directly or indirectly, played a big role in deciding the title by keeping Alonso at bay.”
Vettel termed it an incredible season. “It’s been an incredible season. There were lots of ups and downs. I think I can write a book about the season. The car has been phenomenal throughout the season. I have to thank my team Red Bull for giving me a superb machine to drive. I want to thank all the people who have helped since my karting days,” he said.
Source: Khaleejtimes.com
Overall Standings:
Facts and Figures: Vettel the youngest F1 champ
"Well done to him, well done to the team. They all did a great job.
"My time was a different time from his time. I just feel very happy for him. I think he deserves all the credit.
"He is a great driver and he is a fantastic guy, so I am more than happy for him."
Schumacher's race ended on the opening lap when he spun his Mercedes car and was then struck by the oncoming Force India of Italian Vitantionio Liuzzi. His car rose up and flew across Schumacher's cockpit narrowly missing his head.
"He is a great driver and he is a fantastic guy, so I am more than happy for him."
Schumacher's race ended on the opening lap when he spun his Mercedes car and was then struck by the oncoming Force India of Italian Vitantionio Liuzzi. His car rose up and flew across Schumacher's cockpit narrowly missing his head.
"I had a good start, gaining a couple of positions and had got into a good place for the first stint, but then I came round the third corner and saw a cloud of smoke in front," said Liuzzi.
"I couldn't move anywhere as there were cars all around me and then when the smoke cleared I saw Michael the wrong way round and stopped on track.
"I couldn't do anything - but thankfully we were both okay after the accident."
Schumacher said: "I am totally fine and was not hit by anything in the incident. I had to go to the medical centre just for a precautionary check.
"I went off the line, spun and because of the dirt there, the back of the car just came around. It's a shame obviously as I would have liked to finish the season with a more positive ending.
"But I am already looking forward to fighting again next year. I would like to say thank you to everybody in our team for all of their hard work."
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
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