> Vettel rejects Schu comparisons

Rising star Sebastian Vettel has dismissed suggestions that he is a possible long-term successor to Michael Schumacher as Germany’s Formula 1 hero.

Schumacher’s retirement at the end of the 2006 season has prompted some in the German press to anoint Vettel as his heir apparent.

But the 19-year-old, who excelled in his Friday test outings with BMW Sauber but has yet to make his F1 race debut, played down such lofty comparisons.

“Now that I am driving in Formula 1, and I’m German, people are starting to talk about me being similar to Michael Schumacher,” he told BMW Sauber’s official website.

“But any comparisons between me and Schumacher have been made up by the press.

“It doesn’t put any extra pressure on me.

“The pressure to do well comes from within, because I want to win every race.”

Vettel, who finished second in the F3 Euroseries championship behind Scotsman Paul di Resta, was recently promoted to a permanent role as BMW’s test and reserve driver.