The First Time - with Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel has become accustomed to coming first over the last few years, but wins have been hard to come by for the Red Bull star so far this year.

In the meantime, as part of our series to help you get to know the world’s finest drivers better, we asked the 26-year-old German to turn his attention to a different kind of ‘first’…

Who was your first hero when you were a child?

Sebastian Vettel: Without any doubt, Michael Schumacher.

What was the first Grand Prix you can remember watching?

SV: In 1993 my father took me for the first time to a practice session at the Hockenheimring where the German Grand Prix was being held.

How old were you when you first decided you wanted to be an F1 driver?

SV: For sure I was dreaming about it when I was a child, but when I got older and started racing in single-seaters myself it didn't seem such a dream any more - it started to feel like it could become a reality!

When was your first big accident in a race car?

SV: In karting, when I was seven years old. After that, the only bigger crash I had was in 2006 when I was racing in World Series by Renault at Spa-Francorchamps.

What colour was your first helmet?

SV: The first proper karting helmet I bought was a white Arai helmet. Before that I had a black helmet with a blue stripe, but this was only a standard one from a shop.

When did you win your first trophy and what did it look like?

SV: When I was eight years old I received a laurel wreath and I was absolutely delighted.

What was the first road car you drove?

SV: I tried to learn driving in a Ford Fiesta in our small garden.

How nervous were you on your first day of school?

SV: I don’t remember it, but I cannot imagine having been nervous - country boys take it as it comes.

What was the first meal you ever cooked?

SV: Scrambled eggs.

What was the first thing you did this morning?

SV: Surprise, surprise, I woke up!

What was the first thing you did after getting your first seat in F1?

SV: Missed my plane to Hungary!

What was the first record you bought?

SV: It was Informer by an artist called Snow.

What was the first sport you participated in as a kid?

SV: Football - and I still love it.

When was your first romantic kiss?

SV: When I was around 16 years old.

When was the first time you were asked to sign an autograph for a fan?

SV: When I was racing in Formula BMW (in 2003/2004).

When did you first taste champagne?

SV: I don’t remember. Probably it didn’t impress me that much.

Which would you eat first - a piece of fruit or a piece of chocolate?

SV: Thank God, a piece of fruit nowadays!

What was the first word you said as a baby?

SV: ...mmm, horsepower! (laughs)