Sebastian Vettel became the youngest-ever double F1 World Champion this year. Here’s the second part of of his season’s story.
Some drivers feel a burden of expectation with the number one on their cars – if anything it seems to have freed Vettel up to find even more pace. Certainly he didn’t give anyone else a sniff of a chance to take away the trophy he claims to have become “quite fond of”, though the second half of the season didn’t start so brightly. Here’s how it all unfolded.
Sebastian Vettel shows off his new helmet (© Getty Images)
Nürburgring, Nürburg, German Grand Prix
24/07/2011
Grid: 3, Race: 4, Fastest Lap: 3
The optimists and the tourist board called the temperature in the Eiffel mountains ‘crisp’, for the rest of us it was just ‘cold’, which presented some interesting problems for tyre strategy. Webber took another German Grand Prix pole, Seb languished down in third – his first time off the front row all season. Mark had another horrible start and lost ground. He regained the lead in the second stint but lost out to Hamilton and Alonso later in proceedings. Seb never looked hooked up and finished fourth – his first time off the podium all season.
Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungarian Grand Prix
31/07/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 2, Fastest Lap: 5
Marginal wet/dry conditions made for an enthralling Hungarian Grand Prix. Vettel held his lead at the start but couldn’t hold off the very fast McLarens. Hamilton got past on track but it was Button who took the victory with Seb trailing in second and Webber fifth after a gamble on intermediate tyres that failed when the weather didn’t co-operate. Red Bull and Vettel had gone three races without a victory. Some people said the wheels were coming off – but the Championship lead kept increasing as the opposition were sharing the points around.
Spa-Franchorchamps, Spa, Belgian Grand Prix
28/08/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 1, Fastest Lap: 4
Another one-two for Red Bull but not without incident. Both cars started the race with tyre failure, according to Pirelli, ‘imminent’ after severe blistering in qualifying which the FIA ruled was self-inflicted and therefore not eligible for a penalty-free change. Then they both bogged down off the start-line. Vettel just about survived, Webber dropped back into the pack. Mark had a rough afternoon with a missed communication over pitstop strategy but did get to have a satisfying, incredibly brave, undoubtedly terrifying overtaking-move-of-the-season moment with Alonso. Seb, meanwhile, was long gone.
Autodromo Nazionale, Monza, Italian Grand Prix
11/09/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 1, Fastest Lap: 3
If Red Bull weren’t supposed to win at Spa, they definitely weren’t supposed to win at Monza, but Vettel, sporting the helmet design he had here in 2008 for his first win, won by a comfortable margin despite having the lowest top speed of anyone. He also made a high-speed wheels-on-the-grass pass on Alonso that nailed the idea that he isn’t much of an overtaker. Webber had a less stellar afternoon, tangling with Felipe Massa, losing his nosecone and eventually spinning off the circuit. It was Red Bull’s first retirement of the year – but Vettel’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship was big enough to give him the chance of wrapping up the title in Singapore…
Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore Grand Prix
25/09/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 1, Fastest Lap: 2
… but he didn’t manage it because of other results. Nevertheless, Vettel didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend and left himself one point shy of back-to-back titles.
Loving a Vettel championship in Japan (© Getty Images)
Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japanese Grand Prix
09/10/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 3, Fastest Lap: 6
History says Japan is where titles should be decided, and so it was that Seb became the youngest-even double World Champion, thanks to a slightly subdued third place in Japan. Eyes clearly on the prize, once the lead had been lost to Button and Alonso, Vettel tucked in and did what he needed to do. Then went to the pub. There may have been bad karaoke…
Korea International Circuit, Yeongyam, Korean Grand Prix
16/10/2011
Grid: 2, Race: 1, Fastest Lap: 1
McLaren denied Red Bull a perfect season of pole positions as Hamilton nipped in to take this one, but Vettel had the lead by Turn Four of the first lap and then simply drove away from the field. Hamilton and Webber provided the entertainment as Mark attacked and Lewis defended all the way to the line. He held on for second, but Red Bull had comfortably enough to clinch the Constructors’ Championship. Cue another party.
Buddh International Circuit, Delhi, Indian Grand Prix
30/10/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 1, Fastest Lap: 1
Despite the dire predictions, India was brilliant. Great circuit, fun place and another whitewash for Vettel, this time completing the Grand Chelem which, in F1 parlance, is pole, victory, fastest lap and leading every lap. He became the 22nd name on an illustrious list to do so.
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
13/11/2011
Grid: 1, Race: –, Fastest Lap: –
Well, it had to happen eventually. Seb took pole, led away and then had a tyre disintegrate at the second corner. Game over for Vettel, who then spent the race sitting on the pitwall and afterwards was seen wandering around on the track, trying to find out what had punctured his tyre.
Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos, Brazilian Grand Prix
27/11/2011
Grid: 1, Race: 2, Fastest Lap: 3
Pole position for Seb, with Webber in second but the other way around at the end with Mark finally breaking his 2011 duck. Seb had gearbox issues that denied the large crowd a real dogfight to end the season, but even a broken Red Bull was quick enough to stay comfortably ahead of the competition. Much as had been the case way back in Australia…
© Getty Images
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