Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel, born on 3 July 1987 in Heppenheim, Hesse, West Germany, is widely regarded as one of the most successful Formula One drivers of his generation, having clinched four consecutive World Drivers' Championships between 2010 and 2013 with Red Bull Racing. From a modest upbringing with a carpenter father and a dental‑technician mother, Vettel began karting at the age of eight and quickly dominated junior categories, winning the Formula BMW ADAC title in 2004 with an astonishing 18 victories out of 20 races. He progressed through the Formula 3 Euro Series and Formula Renault 3.5 before being appointed test driver for BMW Sauber in 2006, making his Grand Prix debut at the 2007 United States Grand Prix. His breakthrough came in 2008 when, driving for Toro Rosso, he became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner at the Italian Grand Prix, a triumph that earned him the nickname “Baby Schumi”. After moving to Red Bull in 2009, Vettel captured his first championship at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and went on to dominate the sport, setting records for most consecutive wins (nine in 2013) and most pole positions in a season (15). A move to Ferrari in 2015 saw him return to the podium regularly, including a dramatic victory at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix, before he joined Aston Martin for his final two seasons, where he earned the inaugural Overtake Award in 2021. Beyond the track, Vettel is an outspoken environmental activist, co‑owner of the Germany SailGP Team, and has used his platform to advocate for climate‑friendly practices within motorsport. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2022 season, concluding a 16‑year Formula One career that left an indelible mark on the sport.