Sebastian Vettel Recalls How He Got Toro Rosso Seat Despite Being Outcast by Sauber

Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has recalled the events that transpired at Sauber before he joined Red Bull’s junior team, Toro Rosso, in 2007. Vettel explained that he was originally promised a full race seat, but ‘the whole story didn’t pan out the way it was originally planned’, opening the door for Red Bull to approach him.

Before making his F1 debut, Vettel was simultaneously part of the BMW and Red Bull’s junior program. In 2006, he became Sauber’s test and reserve driver in F1 as the Swiss team was acquired by BMW.

Following this, he also raced for the team once in 2007, following which the team decided to stick with its lineup of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica rather than take a punt on the rookie. In his new documentary “Being Sebastian Vettel“, the German former driver has shared that he was originally promised a seat.

“I actually already had one foot in the door, because my contract with BMW stipulated that I would get a Formula 1 seat. But things never really took off,” said Vettel.

Vettel replaced an injured Kubica at the 2007 US Grand Prix to make his debut with BMW-Sauber and scored his first world championship point.

Sebastian Vettel Explains Why He Did Not Get the BMW-Sauber Call-up in 2007

Vettel recalled his early days in Formula racing where there was talk of him perhaps not being as good as people had originally thought. He admitted that he may not have been ready at the time, and this played a part in BMW not pushing for him to drive for Sauber.

“Back in my Sauber days, there was this ‘rumor’ circulating that Sebastian wasn’t that fast or that good. And yes, I can understand how that impression might have formed. Perhaps it was even true to some extent that I needed a bit of time before things finally clicked,” said Vettel.

“Then the whole situation turned on its head, because on BMW’s side, I wouldn’t say there was less interest, but there simply wasn’t the same level of drive behind it,” he added.

Former Red Bull Man Reflects on Signing Sebastian Vettel After His Departure From BMW-Sauber

Former Red Bull junior program head Helmut Marko also had his say on Vettel’s departure from the BMW program, as he thanked his lucky stars that they did not think he was good enough. This, according to Marko, became the catalyst for Red Bull to secure Vettel’s signature.

“Thank God the Sauber team wasn’t convinced of Vettel’s qualities, which allowed us to secure his services. And it was clear that here was someone who not only had the speed, but was also technically prepared to work intensively,” said Marko.

Vettel signed for Toro Rosso, which is now known as Racing Bulls, in 2007, mid-season, replacing Scott Speed. He then went on to win his first F1 race in 2008 with the team, before eventually joining the senior team and winning four world championships from 2010 to 2013.

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