Vettel gets his revenge on the track
German rookie Sebastian Vettel said ending a turbulent week with fourth place in the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday ranked as one of the highlights of his life
Last weekend, he crashed into the back of Mark Webber while running third in Japan but the 20-year-old had no such misfortune in Shanghai, racing from 17th on the grid to give Toro Rosso their best finish and five points.
"What can I say? It's one of the best days of my life," the beaming German said after he and sixth-placed team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi gave the team their first points of the year.
"Since the day I was born, it's one of the highlights. In Fuji we got close and today came this great result."
Vettel became the youngest driver in Formula One history to score a point in June when he replaced BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica at the U.S. Grand Prix.
Former world champion Michael Schumacher had tipped off Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger years ago about his talented young compatriot and the team turned to him for the last seven races of the season when they dumped American Scott Speed.
He started the Shanghai race so far down the grid after receiving a five-place penalty for impeding another driver in qualifying on Saturday, a day after a 10-place punishment for the Fuji crash was reduced on appeal to a reprimand.
"It's been a rollercoaster this week," he said. "Yesterday I wasn't happy with my grid penalty but today I got my revenge on the track. Unbelievable."
Former Ferrari driver Berger was delighted that the team had finally got off the mark for the year with a haul of eight points to move to seventh in the constructors' championship.
"It was one of the longest races in my life," he told Germany's Premiere TV. "I'm really, really happy. I've seldom been so happy about a fourth place as with this one.
"Vettel was screaming so much on the radio that I didn't understand what he was saying."
Last week's race in Japan was run in torrential rain and there were showers in Shanghai too. Vettel said he was hoping for more of the same in the season finale in Brazil on October 21.
"It seems that we are very strong as soon as there is a bit of water on the ground," he said. "Hopefully we'll have some water coming down from the clouds in Sao Paolo."
Hamilton disappointed by driving criticism
Hamilton disappointed by driving criticism Hamilton disappointed by driving criticism
Alonso says title decided off the track
Alonso says title decided off the track Alonso says title decided off the track
Hamilton fears stewards will hit title bid
Hamilton fears stewards will hit title bid Hamilton fears stewards will hit title bid
Suzuka’s Turn 2 kerbs go black and yellow for Vettel bee project
Suzuka’s Turn 2 kerbs go black and yellow for Vettel bee project Suzuka’s Turn 2 kerbs go black and yellow for Vettel bee project
Verstappen reveals Vettel vote of confidence in F1 win record bid
Verstappen reveals Vettel vote of confidence in F1 win record bid Verstappen reveals Vettel vote of confidence in F1 win record bid
The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel's F1 reign
The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel's F1 reign The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel's F1 reign
Evans co-driver Scott Martin lands WRC Commission role
Evans co-driver Scott Martin lands WRC Commission role Evans co-driver Scott Martin lands WRC Commission role
Indy NXT champion Rasmussen to test for ECR in bid for IndyCar seat
Indy NXT champion Rasmussen to test for ECR in bid for IndyCar seat Indy NXT champion Rasmussen to test for ECR in bid for IndyCar seat
Simpson's path to Ganassi IndyCar seat aided by sportscar experience
Simpson's path to Ganassi IndyCar seat aided by sportscar experience Simpson's path to Ganassi IndyCar seat aided by sportscar experience
F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims
F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.