10 years ago… Vettel’s first pole and victory in F1

Stressful trials
It all started on Saturday September 14, under incessant rain near Milan. At Monza, the “Temple of Speed” does not forgive any driving error; so when the weather gets involved, the free figures multiply, as do the missed braking points at the end of the straight.

These conditions trap some of the favorites. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) does no better than the 14th time, while the championship leader Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) missed out in style and was eliminated in Q2 with a meager 15th time.

“I went out on intermediate tires on my own in agreement with the engineers, but the grip was too low so I took rain tires. But when I came out, it started to rain again and I missed the right window on the track with maximum grip”, explained the one who was only two points ahead of Felipe Massa (Ferrari, 6th in testing).

In Q3, it is not the general's big names who liven up the session but the spoilsport. Nico Rosberg (Williams), Mark Webber (Red Bull) record interesting times, but the small Sebastian Vettel on board the Toro Rosso STR3 (in reality the improved 2007 version Red Bull chassis) calms everyone down with a lap time of 1'37''555!

The mechanics of the team called Minardi until 2005 are exultant; they are not used to being in the top 10 in a session, so taking pole is quite an achievement! At 21 years and 72 days old, the German shouts his joy on the radio. “It has always been my dream to drive a F1 and I didn't expect to get pole position so quickly", explained the one who remains in a promising fifth place acquired in Belgium.

Toro Rosso is in excellent form, because Sébastien Bourdais rises to fourth place. “ It was a bit crazy, analyzed Manceau. These track conditions equalize car performance and if you have good feeling behind the wheel, you can attack. »

A clear race despite the rain
On Sunday, Julie (the little name given by Sebastian Vettel to his car) will she be there? In any case, the Toro Rosso clan is in a cold sweat even before the start. Indeed, Sébastien Bourdais stalls and remains glued to the track. “Normally, the anti-stall system should have been activated. Then I couldn't put it in neutral. It should have been a dream weekend with a certain third place, but for me it ended up being nothing at all. » His best opportunity to score points in a year and a half of his F1 career is gone.

Sebastian Vettel is in no way worried by the problems of his teammate (who will finish 18th after one lap). The start is launched behind the safety car and the 2004 Formula BMW champion leads the pack seemingly without problem even though his settings are more suited to dry roads. “ We were very fast on the straight because we didn't choose the high downforce set-up. We thought the circuit would be dry…” revealed the future four-time world champion.

Let's be honest: Sebastian Vettel was never worried during the 53 laps of the race. Not even when he decided to put on the intermediate tires when the track dried at the end of the effort! “We had no problems throughout the Grand Prix, a good strategy and everything went well, smiled the blond winner ahead of Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) and Robert Kubica (BMW-Sauber). The lap of honor and the podium ceremony were fabulous moments, I will never forget these images, these sensations. It's the most beautiful day of my life !« 

Smiling XXL, Sebastian Vettel is then carried in triumph by the boss of the Red Bull brand, Dietrich Mateschitz as well as by Gerhard Berger, at the time co-owner of Toro Rosso. “He will win several championships”, rightly assured the ex-F1 driver. Seen as the worthy heir of Michael Schumacher, the pilot will kick into touch. “Comparing anyone to Michael is a bit ridiculous. He is probably the greatest pilot in history. »

From left to right: Franz Tost, Dietrich Mateschitz, Sebastian Vettel and Helmut Marko. © WRI2

Toro Rosso which manages to dominate the paddock armadas, this is absolutely unprecedented, and it has never happened again since (statistics stopped before the 2018 Italian GP), despite regulatory changes. Enough to remember this 2008 Italian Grand Prix as an exceptional event in more than one way!