Formula One news

Berger: Schumi scouted Vettel

Gerhard Berger revealed that it was Michael Schumacher who first brought his attention to newly signed Toro Rosso driver Sebastian Vettel. The seven-time world champion pointed out his fellow German as one to watch when he was just a 12-year-old starting out in karts.

"I've known about Vettel for a very long time," Berger told reporters at a press conference. "Michael Schumacher once said I should look out for this guy called Vettel in go karts. 'He's really, really good,' said Michael. Sebastian was 12 years old then."

Many have singled out Vettel as a possible future German champion to fill the gap left by Schumacher. However, Berger is refusing to set Vettel any targets until the 20-year-old settles at the Faenza-based team.

"There is no pressure at all on Sebastian," Berger added. "He is with us for the long term and everybody wants to know how he will do in this race - but he's never even tested with us before and we'd have liked to have had him in the car before this race but it doesn't matter because he's long term.

"It's important that he develops himself over the next one and a half years into a top driver. And we are going to support him in this. But this weekend he's just going to drive around and do what he can. There's no pressure."

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