Sebastian Vettel Rockets into F1 Debut at Indy

June 15 2007 | 'The Bite Point' | By Martin Porter

19 yr old Sensation gets a chance to shine by substituting unfit Kubica

Despite insisting at Thursday's FIA press conference that he felt 100% fine to race at Indianapolis, Robert Kubica was told later in the day that he will not be allowed to race at the US Grand Prix. Kubica underwent a scheduled checkup by doctors following his high speed crash in which he miraculously escaped with only minor concussion and a sprained ankle. However, the doctors stated that it was too high a risk for him to drive so soon because another potential crash in indianapolis, only a week later, could have a knock-on effect on his previous concussion to potentially result in serious injuries such as brain damage, or at worst, death.

With the French Grand Prix two weeks away, regardless of how confident Kubica feels to race, he will have to undergo another check in the same manner, and could again be kept from racing.

Disappointed, by his own admission, Kubica will now sit out of the US Grand Prix and gives way to his very young fellow BMW driver, Sebastian Vettel. The 19 year old German will make his Formula One Grand Prix debut at Indianpolis after stunning performances in testing and free practice sessions in 2006 for BMW Sauber.

His first appearance in a Formula One car was at the Friday Free Practice sessions of the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix; whereby he made an instant impression on everyone. On his first day he received a fine for speeding slightly over the limit on exiting the pitlane, only 6 mins into his first drive of a Formula 1 car; but after finishing an impressive 8th place in the first free practice session of his F1 career, he then shot to the top of the timesheets for the second free practice session only 2hrs later - ahead of the much stronger Ferraris, Renaults, Hondas and McLarens at the time. He has continued to have significant impact at test sessions since then, and is now a well known face within F1.

Sebastian Vettel becomes the 6th youngest driver in history to debut in a Formula One Grand Prix.