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Vettel 'speechless' after historic win

Sebastian Vettel celebrated the best day of his life after clinching a sensational maiden victory at the Italian Grand Prix

The Toro Rosso driver, who on Saturday became the youngest pole-setter in history, dominated the race from start to finish to become also the youngest race winner, beating Fernando Alonso's record.

Vettel, 21, has needed just 22 grand prix starts before managing to climb on the top step of the podium.

The young German is also Formula One's third new winner of the season following Robert Kubica and Heikki Kovalainen.

"Unbelievable," said an elated Vettel. "The whole race we had no problems, the car was working really fine. I had a fantastic race, a really good strategy but all that was gone when I crossed the chequered flag, and the lap back to the pits all the podium ceremony was unbelievable.

"For sure this is the best day of my life, these emotions I will never forget, it is so much better than you might think it is.

"I can just say a big big thank you to the guys in the team, they did a fantastic job, who would have thought it at the start of the season, in these conditions we can do a bit more. It is fantastic, I am speechless."

Vettel admitted that starting from pole position was key to dominating the race, as visibility was very poor during the first part.

The German quickly opened a gap to Kovalainen and never looked back, crossing the finish line over 12 seconds ahead of the McLaren driver.

"Being first and having no visibility problems was the key," he added. "I could make a good, solid gap to Heikki straight away and then I was pushing very hard, sometimes I went over the limit and it got hard.

"I think it got more tricky in the middle of the race as there was no standing water any more. People were going left and right to cool down the tyres, it was very, very slippery, in the last stint.

"A perfect weekend, pole position, race win. I don't know what to say."

Toro Rosso's victory is the first from an Italian team other than Ferrari since the 1957 season.

Vettel admitted he felt very proud of his team.

"I think it says it all. All the people might be used to hearing the Italian national anthem but for Scuderia Ferrari," said Vettel, who will drive for Red Bull Racing next season.

"It is a special day and for all the team they won't forget this day as long as I won't.

"I have seen every angle of the grid now. It is difficult when you start from the back. Now we can be proud of ourselves. Celebrating our victory is great, putting these words together sounds unbelievable.

"The mentality has changed, the atmosphere is fantastic. When I jumped into the car before the race they said: 'Now destroy them'.

"I was pushing like hell, they were looking forward, in that sense you could say we had the balls to do it today.

"Compared to BMW or McLaren or Ferrari, we have not that amount of manpower at the factory, we have about 160 people working at Faenza and they can feel very special. I am one of them we are one team and I feel extremely happy."

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