I remember the 2006 season, I was aware of a BMW Sauber third driver of Sebastian Vettel, I knew at the time he was 19 and is German. That is the most I remember of him, apart from him setting the fastest free practice time at the Hungarian GP, because of the thrilling championship battle Michael Schumacher and eventual winner Fernando Alonso provided. Suddenly, in 2007, he raced for BMW Sauber at the United States Grand Prix, where he replaced Robert Kubica because of the crash he had in Canada, and Vettel took his first point in Formula One, becoming the youngest point scorer at the age of 19, beating Jenson Button's record of 20 back in 2000. Scuderia Toro Rosso signed him up, and incredibly, he finished 5th at the Chinese Grand Prix, which many in the paddock took notice of the young German.
In 2008, he had a dismal season until the Italian GP, where he qualified in pole position, becoming the youngest ever pole sitter, in the rain and in a car that used to be a Minardi until 2005, and a car that wasn't quick enough to match the pace of the Ferrari or Mclaren's. The race on Sunday proved what a Talent he was by winning the Italian GP, finishing ahead of the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen, even in an underpowered car compared to the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, and earned the nickname 'baby Schumi', a reference to a younger version of Michael Schumacher.
2009 saw a new set of regulations, including wider front wings, narrower rear wings and slick tytes re-introduced. He joined the Red Bull Racing team, losing out to the world championship to Jenson Button of Brawn GP, but yet won several races. In 2010 he became a world champion, and boy it wasn't easy. A crash with Mark Webber at Turkey almost ended his title challenge, as it came to the final race, the winner of the race, that was the only time he lead the championship in 2010; Alonso got held up by a strong Vitaly Petrov for Renault. Abu Dhabi GP of 2010 was the first time in Formula One history that four drivers were mathematically in contention for the championship (Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel).
In 2011 he dominated the season; reminded me of a Schumacher in the Ferrari-he collected 15 pole positions, the most ever in a season, and collected 11 wins in what was a season that Vettel was unstoppable. A few mutters about the legality of the front wing was brought into question, as from onboard footage showed that it flexed so much, that it almost touched the floor. However it was deemed legal after the FIA conducted a weights test. Also the revolutionary blown defuser, which is a system where blown exhaust gases are aimed at the rear diffuser, thus generating more downforce. This was Vettel's second championship, and the youngest double champion, beating Fernando Alonso's record.
2012 was a mixed season, struggled at the start, won the Bahrain round after pressure from Raikkonen. Fernando Alonso was running away towards his third championship for Ferrari, until Vettel kept winning races and form was there at the second half of the season. At the Abu Dhabi GP, he qualified 3rd, but due to having less than one litre of fuel for checks, he was sent to back of the grid, but Red Bull opted to start him from the pit lane so they can change settings so they can get Vettel up the grid. After two wing damages forcing him to pit, he managed an incredible 3rd, unbelievable considering how he lost time in the race. He could of won had it not been for several incidents. Brazil was even crazier. He didn't start well, and was spun out and hit by Bruno Senna, however he managed to get racing again and after a debate on wether he overtook on yellow flags, he was found to have overtook Vergne as a marshall was waving a green flag. Before that, he overtook a HRT under a yellow flag, but the HRT looked as if he went to wide. Anyway, Vettel found himself behind Alonso. Silly errors could of cost Vettel the championship to Alonso such as the pit stop where lack of radio communication meant Red Bull pit crew were late in fitting Vettel with new tyres. Vettel pushed. His hero Michael Schumacher let him by; Alonso was 2nd, Vettel ended up in 6th position which was enough for him to win his 3rd championship. A crash by Paul Di Resta in the final straight brought out the safety car, which lasted until the end of the race. The race ended, Vettel become the 3 times world champion, the youngest in fact, beating a dejected Fernando Alonso.
2013 provided a controversial start; at the Malaysian GP, Vettel was ordered to stay behind Mark Webber who had turned his engine down. Mark Webber won the race. But then Vettel wanted the win so bad he took over Webber and became the winner. It caused controversy amongst the media, fans and the team. "You wanted the win so bad, but you have some explaining to do", is what Vettel was told over the radio. Vettel has earnt a few boos, especially after retiring at the British GP, and at the Italian GP where the Tifosi booed him on the podium ceremony. He looks favourite to become a 4 times world champion. He keeps getting booed all the time; the fans are sick of him winning, but it is down to his driving and teamwork. At the Singapore GP, after the safety car come in at lap 31, he led Nico.Rosberg a stunning 3.2 seconds in just one lap, and built a 30 second gap before entering the pits then came out ahead of Alonso. Vettel then quickly finished with a lead of 32.6 seconds. Absolutely crazy.
Now, the booing stems down from when he controversially overtook Mark Webber, despite team orders forbidding him to do so. He has become the hated of F1. With a 60 point lead going into the Korean GP in 2 weeks time, he is on the verge of becoming a 4 times back to back champion. The only person to ever do that in.a row is Michael Schumacher. It seems that the former champion reckons Sebastian can equal or better his records. He is only 26, and has beaten Alonsos win tally; the former has 33 and the latter has 32. That must hurt Alonso, a two times champion. Vettel may be dominating Formula One, but he deserves credit for his records at such a young age. People prefer Alonso, but he has been inolved in more controversial incidents, including emails in the Spygate scandal of 2007. The only thing wrong is that Vettel did the dirty on Webber and that is it in theory, and perhaps becoming too boring. Anyway, it is down to the fans with the opinions, it seems that the 'haters' are holding onto Malaysia 2013. Alonso never got booed when he commited his crimes in 2007, Schumacher never got booed when he stalled his car on the Monaco circuit. Both have had several moments of controversy, but Vettel's only crime is to wanting to win by denying team orders.
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