Joined the Toro Rosso set up midway through the 2007 season having previously tested for BMW Sauber.

In the temporary absence of Robert Kubica, Vettel raced once for Sauber, becoming the youngest debutant to earn a World Championship point when he finished eighth at this year's US Grand Prix a few weeks shy of his 20th birthday.

In his testing days, Vettel recorded the fastest lap time at Istanbul on his first day in the job.

The intelligent German was regarded as a high-flyer even before that impressive entry to the big stage.

In his second year as a Formula BMW driver, he set new stunning records on the way to securing the title: 18 wins in 20 races, 15 pole positions, 16 fastest race laps and scored 387 out of a maximum of 400 points.

In the Formula 3 Euro Series and many Renault World Series rounds, he also demonstrated his talents.