Highlights
Series
Explore
It's amazing to think that this year McLaren are employing two drivers who have only a season apiece in Formula One behind them, a situation that would have seemed impossible not so long ago. But Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are just two of the guys who are spearheading a youthful invasion, as the sport escapes from the long shadow cast by Michael Schumacher.
Sebastian Vettel is one of a talented group of German youngsters who are vying for the attention of their country's public, and in 2007 he went a long way to proving that he might one day replace Schumacher in their affections. The talent that both Red Bull and BMW saw at a very early stage was evident even to those who were not convinced that he was worthy of the attentions of two major organisations.
It was a strange year, to say the least. Vettel started the season as BMW's Friday driver, was 'rested' when the team realised that they had to concentrate on their race drivers, and then unexpectedly had an opportunity to prove himself when he stepped into Robert Kubica's shoes at Indianapolis. He nearly blew it by going off at the first turn, but recovered to take eighth place. It was enough to convince his mentors that he was ready for the big time.
