Vettel / Schumacher: the virtual duel

Sebastian Vettel was only three years old, in 1991, when Michael Schumacher launches for the first time on the Ardennes slide at the wheel of a F1. The protégé of Mercedes replaces Bertrand Gachot at short notice to the delight of the budget-starved Jordan team. Author of the 7th fastest time during the qualifying session, the German neophyte captures the imagination and is immediately courted by the Benetton team managed by Flavio Briatore. From the following Grand Prix, in Portugal, the one we do not yet nickname Schumi goes from Seven Up green to Camel yellow. History, with a capital H, is underway.

Fifteen years later, with seven world championship titles and 91 victories in F1, the man who broke all the records bows out while at the same time the young Vettel is learning his lessons within the BMW team. Sauber as test driver. The two drivers who have known each other for a long time and esteem each other, share the same trajectory for several Grands Prix during these Fridays which, in this 2006 season, are open to third drivers. If it's not a passing of the baton, it looks like it...

For Sebastian Vettel, it was the following year that everything was decided. Invited by Mario Theissen to replace the convalescing Robert Kubica for the US GP, he also qualified in 7th place on the grid but, unlike Schumacher, managed to cross the finish line of his first GP in 8th place, pocketing a first point. Like his hero, he also changed teams for the next Grand Prix. Convinced by the American performance of the young hopeful, Red Bull who has supported him since karting and who has had enough of Scott Speed, places him with Toro Rosso. Another story begins.

Find this entire article in your AUTOhebdo magazine N°1708