• GALLERY
• COLUMN

  Home Grand Prix means a lot more than the other races. 25000 fans have come to the Nurburgring among the deep green of the Eifel. The biggest thing in their heart is, of course, Sebastian Vettel. He is a rising star of Germany!

  "I don't consider myself as a star," he said. "But it is always nice to come here. I have had a lot of races here at the Nurburgring in all different categories, Formula BMW, Formula Three and World Series by Renault. I like the circuit and it will be my first time around here in an F1 car, so I am definitely looking forward."

  Saying so just before the weekend, he also knew what the popularity brings is not only positive things. Too much expectation and attention become pressure. That will grab your concentrations away from you.

  "It's nice to see a lot of people mainly cheering for us, the Germans. It gives you more power and maybe that extra little you need. Of course there are many people and maybe more attention but the thing that matters most is the racing. You have to sometimes forget everything around you and just focus on what really matters. The key I think, to focus on racing."

  Though this is modernistic circuit with a lot of brand-new buildings, it was unbelievable track with its 22.8km long when it was constructed in 1927. Many corners among the mountain has been confusing the drivers. That "Old Course" can be experienced b everyone even today.

  "As soon as I got my licence, I used the opportunity to come here and I did a lap with a road car. I was completely lost but followed a friend and around half a lap. I completely lost the brakes and I was lucky not to crash!"

  The cold and rain. As Sebastian mentioned "Germany is usually hotter than in the UK. I think this place is quite special," the Nurburgring's weather had played a big role over the weekend. The qualifying session became a lottery for the fickle rain and he couldn't take it to his side. Sunday's race was also indigestion stacking on slower car through to the end. The man on the center of the podium was his teammate, Mark Webber.

  "Today he was unbeatable. He was quicker than all of us, so he deserved to win. I would have loved to win this race for sure. It's my home Grand Prix but especially because there were so many people around the track supporting me. But I'm not the oldest person on the grid, so I might have a couple of years left and some more attempts!"

  Yes, he'd just turned 22 a week ago. The big home crowds certainly made him determine to be a real star and that bitter tears will bring him to higher sky.