Sebastian Vettel made his F1 debut for BMW Sauber at the 2007 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Vettel finished eighth in that race, 0.4 seconds behind Mark Webber. - Photo Credit: BMW AG
BMW have congratulated Sebastian Vettel on becoming the youngest ever Formula 1 double world champion.
Vettel, who took the 2011 title at the Japanese Grand Prix today by finishing third behind Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, is still the most successful driver in the history of the Formula BMW championship, and began his F1 career with BMW Sauber in 2007.
The German took the 2004 BMW championship with 18 victories in 20 races, claiming 14 pole positions and setting 13 fastest laps. In 2006 he was named test and reserve driver for the BMW Sauber F1 team and went on to become the youngest driver ever to score a world championship point during his first race outing at Indianapolis in 2007.
Vettel still retains a link with Formula BMW and shortly after picking up his first F1 title at the end of last season, he visited the scholarship course for the 2011 Formula BMW Talent Cup in Cartagena, Spain, and offered some useful tips for the participants.
“Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel on the successful defence of his Formula One World Championship title,” said Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director. “This is just one more highlight in an extraordinary career, which began in Formula BMW. His career is the best possible evidence of the success of the Formula BMW concept. The blonde boy from back then is now a two-time world champion – a role model for any junior drivers following in his footsteps in the Formula BMW Talent Cup.
“Sebastian has shown that, with a mixture of talent and the right support, it is possible to reach the very top of the sport. We hope he continues to be successful for a long time.”
