PROFILE: Red Bull's Vettel stakes claim to place in F1 history

Oct 9, 2011, 8:35 GMT

Suzuka, Japan - Sebastian Vettel became the youngest champion in Formula One history, lifting the trophy at age 23 years, 134 days when he won his first world title last year.

Now at 24 years and 98 days, he has became the youngest to win it twice, beating the record held by Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who was 25 years and 85 days when he triumphed with Renault in 2005 and 2006,

Moreover, Vettel in Suzuka became one of only a few drivers to have clinched a title at quite such an early stage in the season.

Last year, the German stole the championship in the last race from Ferrari's Alonso. This season, the Red Bull driver dominated from the start and by finishing third at the Japanese Grand Prix has won the title with another four races still left.

Only countryman Michael Schumacher in 2002 and Britain's Nigel Mansell in 1992 have managed to secure the title earlier in a season than Vettel.

Once named 'Baby Schumi' in his homeland, in reference to seven-time champion Schumacher, Vettel is now mentioned in the same breath as some of the greatest drivers of the sport.

'Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso,' were the names his Australian teammate Mark Webber rattled off when asked about the company he saw Vettel in.

In his fourth full F1 season, the carpenter's son from Heppenheim in the western federal state of Hesse showed a remarkably mature performance, in contrast to last year when he lost quite a few points due to hotheaded driving.

Technical problems made the road to the 2010 title even more bumpy.

This year, however, with a perfect car set-up Vettel took a runaway lead right from the beginning, winning nine races so far, securing second spots in four others and the third place in Japan. He has missed the podium only once, when he ended on fourth on his home race in Germany.

'I think he has benefited from last year,' said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

'We've managed to apply the lessons we learned from last year,' he said, paying tribute to his whole team.

Horner said Vettel had been performing on an exceptionally high level and had yet to reach his full potential.

'He is still so young and he is still developing as a driver as he gains more experience and I am certain that the best is still to come from Sebastian,' said the Red Bull team chief.

Vettel made his F1 debut in 2006 for BMW-Sauber at the US Grand Prix as a replacement for the injured Robert Kubica and his eighth-place finish there made him the youngest driver to earn a championship point.

In July 2007, the German joined Red Bull's sister team Toro Rosso.

A year later he became the youngest pole position holder by finishing top in qualifying for the Italian GP at Monza. He went on to win the race.

Vettel moved on to Red Bull in 2009, teaming up with now 35-year-old Australian Mark Webber.

Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz hailed Vettel as one of a kind.

'We knew that Sebastian is capable of top performances,' he said.

'I consider him unique,' said Mateschitz, adding that the German's success coupled with his boyish charm was a blessing for both the team and the sport.

'You can't really top it if this success is achieved with so much sympathy, youthfulness and joy,' he said.