Press Release courtesy of CIK\FIA

The quadruple Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has collected successes from his beginnings in karting. The European ICA Junior Champion in 2001, his precocious talent was soon to blossom in cars. Sebastian has not forgotten his years of karting and is always ready to get behind the wheel of a kart for fun or to encourage young apprentice champions.

Sebastian, where does your passion for motor sports come from?

- It's simple! I come from a family passionate about motorsport who gradually transmitted the virus to me. As my father was driving in hillclimbs, we were already immersed in competition. As a child I remember I was watching the Formula 1 Grand Prix with him. Then, feeling that I was interested, my father gave me a kart which I could do tricks with in the garden. I must have been 3 or 4 and a half years old when I started. You see, this goes a long way back!

What are your best memories from karting?

- Like many drivers, I have very good memories of my years in karting. There have been important victories like my first title in Bambini class B when I was 10 years old. 2001 was an significant year in ICA-Junior with victories in the European Championship, the German Championship and Monaco Kart Cup driving a Tony Kart / Vortex. I remember in particular Michael Schumacher personally handing me the winner's trophy after a race at Kerpen. I will never forget this important moment ...

In your opinion, what is the role of karting in the development of a Driver?

- These are the first experiments in motorsport, we have many things to learn, starting with the discipline to succeed. One learns to assimilate the circuits and to understand the operation of the machine. Gradually his driving personality is forged. This is obvious, but we must remember that karting is the best school to prepare for car racing. To succeed, a young driver must believe in himself and follow his own path to achieve his objectives, without forgetting the pleasure of driving.

What do you think of the current karting competition?

- Karting has become more expensive and that's a shame, but everything has become more expensive in life in general. I think that karting must strive to become affordable without losing sight of its origins. I know efforts are being made to provide greater equity and to produce more exciting races. This is going in the right direction.

Have you stayed close to karting?

- Even when you drive in the highest categories, there is always pleasure in taking the wheel of a kart. As soon as I am able, I return to karting with my friends. Furthermore, I willingly agreed to become the sponsor of the DKM (German Karting Championship) because I think firstly it is a good thing to support young drivers and secondly I had give back to karting part of what it has given me.