Formula One news

Vettel more 'comfortable' at home

Sebastian Vettel will be driving in his first home race at the Nürburgring this weekend. The Red Bull driver, who drove in Germany at Hockenheim for Red Bull last year, arrives as winner of the last race and is aiming for another ten points in his quest to chase down the leading Brawns.

Hockenheim was the venue of the German Grand Prix last year

As a German, Vettel has driven at the Nürburgring more than most in the current field although this weekend marks the first time that Sebastian - who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Friday - will have done so in a Formula One car. "I have a lot of good memories of the Nürburgring," he said. "I've already done a lap on the Nordschleife behind the wheel of a kart and I've done a lot of races here in Formula BMW, F3 and the Renault World Series."

With a quarter of the grid made up by German drivers, room for Vettel banners in the grandstands will have to be shared with those of Nico Rosberg, Timo Glock, Nick Heidfeld and Adrian Sutil although Vettel believes that racing at home does make a psychological difference. "I'd say it's like a football match when you play on your home ground," he continued. "You always give a hundred per cent but in a home race you're even more motivated because at home you feel comfortable."

Sebastian scored a point for Toro Rosso in Germany a year ago

Vettel did admit, however, that all attention turns to the track once visor lids go down on the grid. "During the ninety minutes of the race I do not think about which country I'm in because I am concentrated on racing," he described, "but before and after this is special because being at home is the best place to stay; I like it how there are so many fans of motorsport and that these people are cheering and support you with horns, flags and stuff like that - that influences your mood in a positive way. There is nothing better than an in-lap in front of your home crowd after winning a race."

more news

• 22 Nov.
  • Photos: 2009 Toyota Motor Sports Festival
  • Vettel didn´t expect Button´s McLaren deal
• 21 Nov.
  • Mercedes: No Schumacher drive with us
  • López close to USF1 deal
  • Options open for Bourdais
• 20 Nov.
  • FIA was using new teams, says Lola
  • Rossi and Newey to contest endurance race
  • Wolff: Worth of privateers on the up
  • Equity sale for 'private motives' - Williams
  • USF1 considering 12 drivers
  • Photos: SKUSA karting event, Las Vegas
  • Buemi and Schumacher to kart in Las Vegas
  • Clock ticking for Silverstone
  • Williams sells first shares
  • Official: Bianchi handed Ferrari test
  • My door is open, says Trulli
  • Button: I needed a new challenge
• 19 Nov.
  • Brawn 'very disappointed' with Button outcome
  • Sons release birthday song for Jackie Stewart
  • Räikkönen: No talks with Brawn
  • No early Brawn exit for Button
  • 'Unfinished business' for Räikkönen
  • 2010: How the grid is shaping up
• 18 Nov.
  • Button move a mistake, says Stewart
  • Donington goes into administration
  • Villeneuve working on F1 comeback
  • Whitmarsh: Money not the reason for Button move
  • Hamilton: Button arrival fantastic news
  • Button: Difficult decision to leave Brawn
  • Confirmed: Button partners Hamilton at McLaren
  • Kubica to compete in second rally
  • Webber drives GP3 car in France
  • 'Bianchi to test Ferrari at Jerez'
  • Prize-winning Wilson drives McLaren
  • Brawn: Button-McLaren talk not helpful
  • Sabbatical year for Räikkönen in 2010
  • Drivers preparing for Toyota Motor Sport Festival
• 17 Nov.
  • Di Montezemolo to quit as FOTA Chairman?
  • 'Brawn and Button just sparring' - Ecclestone
  • 'Button agrees terms with McLaren'

Homepage