'Half the grid' wants Vettel

Young German driver in demand

Last updated: 6th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

'Half the grid' wants Vettel

Vettel: Rising star

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Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has claimed that "half of the F1 grid" is chasing the sport's youngest race winner, Sebastian Vettel.

The 21-year-old is considered one of Formula One's rising stars and his stock rose yet further after he scored both his and Toro Rosso's maiden victory at the Italian Grand Prix last month.

Vettel has also scored 27 of Toro Rosso's 31 Constructors' Championship points this season and currently occupies eighth place on the Drivers' Championship.

The German has committed his immediate future to Toro Rosso's sister team Red Bull, with Vettel partnering Mark Webber in 2009.

However, according to Mateschitz, that fact has not prevented other teams from making enquiries.

"Half of the F1 grid is chasing him," Mateschitz told Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten. "But Sebastian does not have any thoughts of moving out of Red Bull, nor have I. He is part of our family.

"We would be disappointed if he would propose to leave. However, he has earned a right for one of the best cars in one of the best teams, so we are obliged to offer him this at Red Bull Racing next season."