Vettel’s return to Monza, from outsider to contender

MONZA - Sebastian Vettel returns to the Italian Formula One Grand Prix after a remarkable transformation from outsider to championship contender.

At the age 21, the German became the youngest race winner in F1 history when he stunned the favourites in a Toro Rosso in Monza 12 months ago.

Now he returns as a driver for Toro Rosso’s parent team Red Bull, hoping that history will repeat itself as he is determined to further cut his deficit on championship leader Jenson Button of the Brawn GP team.

“My title chances are intact… I want to win,” Vettel told (DPA). “We are about to close the gap.”

Button won five of the first seven season races, but lost his momentum since and not made the podium in the following five races. He did did not finish for the first time this season on August 30 in Belgium.

Vettel has two season wins for a career tally of three, plus four further podiums. His third place in Belgium was welcome after he failed to finish the two previous races.

Button leads the standings with 72 points, with team-mate Rubens Barrichello on 56, Vettel on 53 and Webber on 51.5 with five races left in the season.

The return to Monza only adds to Vettel’s excitement.

“Without a doubt, Monza 2008 is one of my best memories, as it was where I scored my first F1 win, after taking my very first F1 pole. It was a perfect weekend and one I will remember always, whatever else I achieve during my career,” said Vettel on the team website.

“Things have changed a lot in the space of 12 months. Although at this point last year, the Toro Rosso car was improving and even if we saw we were competitive even in Friday practice, my pole and win were something of a surprise to everyone.

“This year, Red Bull Racing and me and Mark are fighting for the championship titles, so we are considered front-runners. It doesn’t put me under any more pressure, but it does mean that our expectations are higher.”

Button said he hopes that his car will be “reasonably good” on the fast Monza course and Vettel said all attention is required from the drivers at this famous site.

“Monza is in any case a special appointment on the calendar as you can really feel the history of the place, especially as, just a short walk from the paddock, you can see impressive banked corners of the old oval track.

“This is still the fastest circuit on the calendar and the one where we run the lowest downforce. While this gives you top speed, it also makes the car more unstable through the turns, under braking and accelerating out of the corners, so it is a very interesting high speed challenge,” said Vettel.