The name belonged to the team's 2009 single-seater, the RB5, as the team piggybacked on the name of their previous car, the RB4 – named Kate. Since the last year's car was obviously more aggressive and efficient in terms of points scored in the series – 6 wins and 2nd place in the manufacturers' classification – it was nicknamed as a “dirtier” version of Kate.
Back in 2008, when he scored his first ever win for Scuderia Toro Rosso in Formula One – and became the youngest driver to ever win a race in the series – the nickname he gave to his STR single-seater was Julie.
Apparently, giving female nicknames to his F1 cars is not the only superstition Vettel has in the sport, as the German racer “steps into his cars and dismounts from the left-hand side, and slides a lucky coin behind the laces of his boot,” as reported by the GMM news agency.
This only makes the 22-year old driver even more likable in the eyes of the fans worldwide, while also lifting him to No 1 favorite in Bernie Ecclestone's book.
“If I could design a superstar, Sebastian would be the result. He is exactly what formula one needs: a young, super-talented driver who is intelligent but not arrogant, popular with the public and good with the media, normal but still very professional,” said the F1 supremo in an interview with Auto Bild Motorsport.
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