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When Sebastian Vettel made his F1 debut on the Friday of the Turkish Grand Prix - assuming the role of 'third driver' from Robert Kubica, who in turn had been promoted to a full race seat following the 'departure' of Jacques Villeneuve - there were widespread shouts, not merely among race fans but within the F1 paddock, of "who?"
However, later that day, having posted the fastest time of the day, the sport appeared to have found the latest sensation.
All in all, it was a historic day for the young German, for not only had he edged out Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, he had, at 19 years and 53 days, become the youngest driver to take part in a Grand Prix weekend. On the other hand, he became the youngest to receive a fine in an F1 car (speeding in the pitlane), incurring the fine just 9 seconds into his F1 career.
Sebastian's racing career began in 1995 when he took part in his first Kart race, in Walldorf, just a short while later he celebrated his first win, taking victory at Wittgenborn.
He continued in Karting for the next eight years, enjoying success both in his native Germany, and throughout Europe, winning the European Junior Kart Championship, the German Junior Kart Championship, in addition to victories in the Monaco Junior Kart Cup and Paris-Bercy.
He was also a regular at a certain Kart track in Kerpen, where he got to meet up with his hero - F1 legend, Michael; Schumacher.
Along the way, Sebastian had been spotted by Red Bull, and from 1998 has been part of the Austrian company's ambitious 'Driver Programme'.
Sebastian finally made the switch to single-seaters in 2003, entering the Formula BMW ADAC Championship. Finishing runner-up, he was also named 'Rookie of the Year'.
He remained in Formula BMW in 2004, and totally dominated the series, taking 18 wins (from 20 races), 15 pole positions and 16 fastest race laps. A new German star was born.
For 2005 he switched to the Formula 3 Euroseries, taking the 'rookie' title, courtesy of 6 podium places.
In September 2005, Sebastian received his reward for the 2004 Formula BMW title, a test with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team at Jerez.
In 2006, the youngster remained with the F3 Euroseries, also taking part in a number of rounds of the World Series by Renault.
An accident at Misano in the World Series by Renault almost saw him lose a finger, but he was back in the cockpit a week later, finishing sixth in the Ultimate Masters of F3 at Zandvoort.
Once he had been drafted into the BMW team to replace Kubica, Sebastian's world went crazy. In addition to his duties as an F1 test and reserve driver, there was also the little matter of the Euro Series.
Unfortunately, despite continuing to impress in the F1 car - certainly enough to secure the role of test driver for BMW in 2007 - the German youngster missed out on the F3 title, losing out to Scotland's Paul di Resta by 11 points.
For 2007, Sebastian was retained by BMW as test driver, while also continuing in the World Series by Renault with Carlin.
The new test limits meant that Vettel was unlikely to get mileage in the BMW during the season, however, the German team originally insisted that unlike its rivals it would run its test driver in the Friday practice sessions at Grands Prix. Unfortunately for Sebastian, it wasn't long before the team fell into line with its rivals.
However, Lady Luck had a trick up her sleeve. When Robert Kubica crashed heavily in Canada, Sebastian was drafted in for the following week's race at Indianapolis. Even though the Pole insisted he was fully recovered from his Montreal crash, the FIA was taking no chances.
Sebastian gave a mature performance on his F1 debut, qualifying seventh - two spots behind his highly experienced teammate - and bringing the car home in seventh. The youngster gave a good account of himself, and it was only the experience of his rivals, who were able to keep him at bay at the Brickyard, a track not known for its overtaking opportunities, that prevented him from finishing higher. As it was, Sebastian had made history by becoming the youngest driver to score a Formula One World Championship point. At 19 years 349 days, he had broken the record established by Jenson Button in 2000 when the Englishman, aged 20 years 67 days, finished sixth in Brazil.
With Kubica back on duty in France it looked as though Sebastian would have to make do with his 15 minutes of F1 fame and return to the World Series by Renault. However, a few weeks later he was back in an F1 car, this time with Toro Rosso.
Disappointed with Scott Speed's lack of progress, Red Bull called time on Vettel's deal with BMW, the Austrian company pointing to the fact that the youngster had a long-term contract with. On 31 July, BMW, realising that the Red Bull contract was watertight, released the youngster, who was back on the F1 grid in time for his home race at the Nurburgring.
After his sensational debut with BMW, it was back to reality for Sebastian as he had to deal with life at the other end of the grid. Initially, it was clear that teammate Tonio Liuzzi had the better of him, but little by little Sebastian came into his own.
In Japan, Sebastian made another little bit of F1 history. In the atrocious conditions he worked his way up into the lead, thereby, at 20 years 89 days, becoming the youngest driver ever to lead a World Championship Grand Prix. However, the race was to end in tears (literally) when he was adjudged to have crashed into Mark Webber in a bizarre incident behind the safety car.
The Australian, never one to hold back, said of the incident: "It's kids isn't it, kids with not enough experience. They do a good job and then they f*** it all up." Race officials agreed, and consequently, Sebastian was told that due to his careless driving he would forfeit ten grid places at the next race, China. The kid was inconsolable, and few of us will forget the sight of the distraught youngster in the Fuji gloom.
However, by the time the 'circus' arrived in China a week later, a video shot by a race fans in the stands in Japan had appeared on Youtube. It appeared to show that Lewis Hamilton was responsible for the incident, and consequently the German's grid penalty was removed. As if in celebration of the fact, Sebastian gave the performance of his life, bringing the Toro Rosso home in fourth to give the team its best ever result. It was a magnificent drive, and after the tears of Fuji, at Shanghai Sebastian was grinning from ear to ear.
In 2008, the youngster is joined by three-time Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais. It is going to be very interesting to see how the two compare, though our money is on the German emerging on top.
At Pitpass we are happy to admit that ever since he first appeared on our radar, back in 2003, we have held Sebastian in great esteem. Furthermore, he is a really nice guy with no pretensions, just loads of talent and a real joy for racing. Therefore, we hold our hand up and admit that he, along with Robert Kubica, is one of our favourites. We also think that he, like Robert, is a potential World Champion.
Statistics - Prior to 2008 Season
Drivers' Titles: 0
Seasons in F1: 1
Grand Prix: 8
Wins: 0
Points: 6
Poles: 0
Fastest Laps: 0
Best result in 2007: 4th (China)
Best qualifying 2007: 7th (USA)
Worst qualifying 2007: 20th (2 times)
Average grid position 2007: 14.25
2007: Out-qualified Nick Heidfeld 0 times
2007: Out-qualified Tonio Liuzzi 3 times
2007: Out-qualified by Nick Heidfeld 1 time
2007: Out-qualified by Tonio Liuzzi 4 times
2007: Completed 395 out of 492 laps (80.28%)
2007: Finished 5 times from 8 starts (63%)
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