'Seb win will boost German motorsport'
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
Sebastian Vettel's World title is expected to give German motorsport a major boost, according to German team bosses as Vettel-mania began sweeping the nation.
The 23-year-old became the first German since Michael Schumacher to win the Drivers' Championship last Sunday when he picked up his fifth grand prix win of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Vettel is the youngest driver to win the World title and is now expected to inspire the next generation of Formula One drivers in Germany.
"This is the best thing that can happen (for the sport here)," Norbert Haug, Mercedes' motorsport director, told the SID news agency. "Of course, it is a huge story in Germany and a boost for Formula One."
After a successful career in karting, Vettel graduated to the 2004 German Formula BMW Championship with 18 victories from 20 races.
His success, and rise up the ranks, is seen as a huge marketing boost for motorsport, said BMW's motorsport director Mario Thiessen.
"Of course, this great success by Sebastian will have an effect," said Thiessen. "Many fans are eager to copy him and he is a role model for junior kart racers."
Before joining Red Bull, with whom he won the World title, Vettel started out in Formula One as BMW Sauber's third driver and was the youngest driver to compete in a grand prix.
After a serious crash suffered by Robert Kubica, he stepped in at the 2007 United States Grand Prix and finished eighth to became the youngest driver ever to score a point in Formula One at 19 years and 349 days.
"He's been consistent, has learned from setbacks and never lost sight of his goal," added Thiessen. "The fact that he has made it in motorsport from karting to the World title in Formula One, and learned the necessary skills along the way, is the confirmation of good young talent.
"I am convinced Sebastian Vettel has the chance of an unusually long and successful career in Formula One. He is someone you wish for in your team. His fans, and Formula One in general, can still take more pleasure from him."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
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