Gridcrasher rates each driver based on their performance in 2008

Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)

Best finish: 1st (Italy)
Best qualifying: 1st (Italy)
Total points: 30

The story of his season: Vettel made a terrible, luckless start to the year with four straight retirements. Thereafter, he was superb, with a series of eye-catching drives and results - none more so than at the Italian GP, where he kept his head in poor conditions to win, having started from pole. As a result, he has earned promotion from Toro Rosso to the senior Red Bull team in 2009 (although based on the second half of 2008, that may not be such a good thing).

Gridcrasher verdict: It’s easy to see why Vettel, not Lewis Hamilton, is viewed as the rightful heir to Michael Schumacher’s crown. He is very fast in qualifying, very consistent in races and despite his tender age, he’s clearly shrewd enough to get the most out of an average car. In other words, he has everything it takes to be Schumi Mk II. Vettel hasn’t faced much of a challenge from team-mate Seb Bourdais this season, so it will be interesting to see how he fares next year at Red Bull, alongside the equally consistent - and vastly more experienced - Mark Webber. We doubt it will faze him at all.

Grade: A-

How do you rate Vettel this season?