Sebastian Vettel burst onto the Formula One scene in late August as he made his Grand Prix debut as BMW Sauber’s Friday test driver in Turkey. An impressive start it was too as the young German topped the timesheets at the end of the second hour of running. He repeated the result next time out in Italy and come the season finale in Brazil, the team had confirmed Vettel for the 2007 season in the same role.

While Vettel was unable to win the Formula 3 Euro Series championship as hoped - losing out to Scottish racer Paul di Resta - his focus is now firmly on Formula One. With Michael Schumacher retiring from the sport, he is one of many rising German stars who will be looking to fill the void left by the seven time champion.

“Now that I’m driving in Formula One, and I’m German, people are starting to talk about me being similar to Michael Schumacher,” Vettel told the BMW Sauber website. “But any comparisons between me and Schumacher have been made up by the press. It doesn’t put any extra pressure on me - the pressure to do well comes from within, because I want to win every race.”

Regular race driver Robert Kubica has also made a huge impression with his half-season alongside Nick Heidfeld in the team. While his podium position at Monza was somewhat overshadowed by the Schumacher retirement announcement, Kubica admits he likes to maintain a low profile.

“I don’t want to be popular. I don’t like it at all,” Kubica said. “Of course I am happy, but I prefer to remain on the ground with both feet.”

[BMW Sauber]

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