F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Vettel unbothered by loss of 'youngest F1 winner' record

By winning the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen not only became the youngest ever winner in Formula 1, he shattered the previous record detained by Sebastian Vettel by over two years!

When Vettel won the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at Monza for Toro Rosso at the age of 21 years and 73 days, he scrapped Fernando Alonso from the history books.

Now himself relegated to second on the youngest winners list behind the stunning Max Verstappen, Vettel is happy to concede the record to a man  whose achievement he appreciates, although the German remains relatively indifferent to the age factor in F1.

"Records are there to be broken," said the Ferrari driver.

"I was so excited when I won my first race that I didn't care if I was twenty or 25 or whatever age, I don't think it matters [about age].

"If you're quick enough you belong here and then as soon as you are you belong here and as long as you are you belong here, so I don't think it matters whether you're 18 or... I think Michael kept racing until he was 43?

"I met Stirling Moss a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately he only raced until his thirties but I think he was there to race until his fifties. Obviously cars these days are a bit easier to drive than when I started but still I think there's nothing that speaks against...

"I don't know how old Kimi Raikkonen is actually but 35 year old to keep fit and to drive these cars if you're still quick enough, you're still young enough, so that's the bottom line."

REPORT: Verstappen sets the pace on second day of Barcelona test

Scene at the Spanish Grand Prix

Spanish Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Newey: AI has been shaping F1 ‘for a long time’

Aston Martin’s chief architect and team principal Adrian Newey believes Formula 1’s latest buzzword is…

52 mins ago

Norris gets a pole-position welcome at old primary school

Fresh from pre-season testing and with a world title now stitched onto his racing overalls,…

2 hours ago

Two on the trot for Laffite and Ligier in Brazil

On this day in 1979, Jacques Laffite won the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos as…

3 hours ago

Russell hungry for ‘head-to-head’ title clash with Verstappen

George Russell is not hiding his appetite for a showdown this season in F1. In…

4 hours ago

Vowles confident Williams won’t start F1 season ‘on the back foot’

Williams may have missed the first public glimpse of Formula 1’s bold new era, but…

5 hours ago

Mercedes Allison’s big takeaway from F1’s Barcelona test

Mercedes technical director James Allison arrived in Barcelona last week bracing for chaos – and…

7 hours ago