03/08/2007
NEWS STORY
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German youngster, Sebastian Vettel, who makes his Toro Rosso debut today, will remain with the Italian team in 2008, team boss Gerhard Berger has revealed.
The Faenza based outfit has yet to confirm who will partner him, but it is widely speculated that three-time Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais will get the drive.
Confirming Vettel's 2008 seat yesterday, Berger admitted that it was seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher who first alerted him as to the youngster's ability.
"I was in Mauritius on holiday and Michael Schumacher came to me," the Austrian told reporters. "He said 'Gerhard, you have to look. There is this guy in go-karts, the name is Vettel.' I said 'Who?' 'Vettel, he is very quick.' And that was many years ago."
Having already attracted attention following his total domination of the German Formula BMW series, the youngster caused a sensation when he replaced Robert Kubica in the United States GP, becoming the youngest points finisher in the history of the Formula One World Championship.
Though the youngster had a clear association with BMW, he was a product of the Red Bull talent programme and therefore it was inevitable that there would eventually be a tug-of-war over his services. Earlier this week, the German team chose to stand aside, not wishing to "place obstacles in his career path".
Speaking of his new driver, Berger said: "We are very happy with Sebastian and we think we are going to have a good relationship, no problem. I think it's great to have a young spirit in the team again, when I watched him and followed him I could see a great commitment. He's intelligent, the speed I hope is going to show that he's quick."