The fact that he is the youngest ever point scorer in Formula 1, the youngest ever driver on pole, the youngest ever race winner and the youngest driver’s world champion wasn’t enough for Sebastian Vettel. After yesterday’s Japanese GP he has now added the title of youngest ever double world champion to this stellar list of achievements.
The run towards his first world driver’s crown in 2010 was, admittedly, a bit wobbly at times. Then twenty-three year old Vettel’s over eagerness and sometimes impetuous behaviour on the track seemed to get the better of him. It led to several scrapes and to speculation about his readiness to be a world champion. It took until the final race of the season, with four drivers in contention, for Vettel to silence his detractors and secure his first driver’s crown.
A year later, Sebastian Vettel’s success seemed inevitable as early on as May. Despite this, his accomplishment is no less spectacular and more than worthy of praise.
What then has been the difference in 2011?
The most important difference this season has seen him lead the world championship from day one. Despite commanding the races around Australia’s Albert Park and Malaysia’s Sepang circuits the Red Bull driver kept his feet firmly on the ground insisting that he didn’t like to use the word domination.
The team’s first miscalculation on strategy came in China. Lewis Hamilton headed to his first win of the season while Vettel snapped up second place, hardly a disaster. Not happy with playing second fiddle, even once, he romped to victory in Turkey. In Spain he had to show more than just out-and-out speed to win the race. A dogged Hamilton had reduced the gap between first and second to half a second. While his challenger was armed with KERS and DRS
Monaco put on display his defensive driving skills and revealed a cool and collected veteran, one that was able to keep a persistent Alonso and Button at bay in time for a thrilling victory. The Canadian will be remembered for Button’s storming drive; and however brief the glimpse may have been, it was here that Vettel was shown to be susceptible to pressure.
After disappearing into the distance in Valencia and picking up a second-place at Silverstone it was Germany where his invincibility slipped slightly. A fourth place finish at his home would harden his resolve, though he would still lose out to a brilliant Jenson Button in Hungary.
Rather that consolidate a solid haul of points in Italy, he dipped two wheels onto the grass while scything past Alonso for the lead of the race. The Belgian Gp was no less impressive as he reasserted himself with pole position and the win. Two more victories in Italy and Singapore meant one point in Japan would make him champion.
Stunningly fast, bulletproof reliability and a design which left the rest of the paddock scratching their heads – The RB7 does deserve a chunk of the credit too. The majority of it though comes down to its driver. His single lap pace has made him untouchable on Saturdays. However, points are reserved for race days; and it here that Vettel has been, unquestionably, in a class of his own. Where last year he may have occasionally faltered in the heat of the moment, this year it has been replaced by a cool head. He’s taken every opportunity in the offing and more impressively he’s snatched race victories that weren’t within his grasp.
There is no doubt that the best driver on the Formula 1 grid is Sebastian Vettel. The new double world champion possesses a wealth of speed and an ambition so staggering that it’s impossible to imagine that any record will be left standing. Nice one, Sebastian!