F1 record-breaker Vettel hails 'remarkable' day

Sebastian Vettel has revealed he was forced to choke back the tears as he stood on top of the podium for the first time in his Formula One career.

Vettel yesterday clinched a place in the sport’s record books by becoming the youngest race winner with victory in the Italian Grand Prix at the age of 21 years and 74 days.

For the young German and his Toro Rosso team, it was a remarkable achievement as no-one truly expected Vettel to go and win the race after claiming his maiden pole 24 hours previously.

But on a wet Monza circuit, Vettel was rarely troubled, clinching a deserved victory for a team rightly regarded as minnows, despite the considerable backing of Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz.

Come the chequered flag, there were unbridled scenes of joy inside the garage, with Toro Rosso becoming the first non-Ferrari Italian team to win a grand prix since Maserati in 1957.

What then followed was almost too much for Vettel who said: “When I crossed the line I realised I had just won the race.

“That last lap was the best I have ever done at Monza. Obviously it was not the fastest, but for sure it was the best.

“Then stopping the car in parc ferme and going up on that podium, it was unbelievable to see all the people going crazy.

“It might sound stupid, but just the shape of the podium and to have the crowd beneath you, it is a picture I will never forget in my life. To see all the people, my team, my family all going completely mad, it was remarkable.

“From the first corner there was a huge crowd coming, and it was getting more and more packed. To then listen to the German national anthem was fantastic, and I nearly started to cry.

“Then came the Italian national anthem for my team, and for all the people that have worked so hard in the past.

“I have been a member for a little over one season, and what we have achieved so far is great. I’m sure everybody went to sleep last night with the feeling they are winners, which is great, fantastic.”

Vettel felt his win was reward for the effort put in by everyone within the team, formerly Minardi before becoming part of the Red Bull sporting empire.

“It’s just great to give something back, a result like that,” added Vettel. “Obviously, a race win is the best thing you can give to your team, so I’m proud and very happy.”

The sky could be the limit, with co-owner Gerhard Berger tipping Vettel, who joins Red Bull next season, to go on to bigger and better things.

“I’m not into making comparisons,” said Berger, who was quick to leave the circuit on the back of a scooter, "but what I do know is this guy will win a lot of races, and a lot of championships.”