Vettel granted BMW third driver role.

BMW Sauber will field a third car at the Turkish Grand Prix after confirming Sebastian Vettel has successfully received the necessary superlicence to conduct testing for the team in Friday practice.

Stepping into the void left by Robert Kubica following the Pole's step up into Jacques Villeneuve's vacant race seat, Vettel is another of Mario Theissen's proteges that had been tipped for a third driver role in next season's championship.

Nonetheless, the 19-year-old German will assume duties early in Turkey having impressed BMW with his performance in lower formulas, including the manufacturers one make series Formula BMW, a triumph that has earned him a chance to test for the team on occasions this year. Indeed, while Theissen is under no illusions that his first foray to Istanbul Park will be easy, he is confident he can learn quickly.

"We are giving Sebastian the chance to prove what he is already capable of," Theissen said. "Sebastian is the next in line in the squad of young drivers, and at the age of just 19 has already carved out a long and successful track record in karting, Formula BMW and Formula Three.

"Of course Istanbul isn't going to be a walkover for him. Sebastian has far fewer F1 test kilometres on the clock compared to Robert when he joined us. That has to be borne in mind. We will do all we can to support him."

Vettel has had an eventful season thus far, following on from his status as the leading rookie in the 2005 Formula Three Euro Series at just 18-years-old. Currently second in the Euro Series standings following on from his double win last weekend at the Nurburgring, Vettel has also broadened his horizons this year by occasionally competing in the World Series by Renault, stunning onlookers when he claimed a double win on his debut at Misano for Carlin Motorsport.

However, his season had been rumoured to be over when he badly injured his finger in a crash at Spa-Francorchamps. Nonetheless, Vettel is delighted to have been given an ideal opportunity to showcase himself, although he is well aware of his limited mileage.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that the BMW Sauber F1 Team has shown its confidence in me by granting me this opportunity. At the same time, of course, I'm aware that my limited experience in a Formula One car means it's going to be a major challenge.

"But I will focus totally on the task in hand and try to support Nick, Robert and the engineers in their work as best I can to provide them with plenty of valuable information."

With an eye on his F3 Euro Series title aspirations, it has not been confirmed whether Vettel will continue as the third driver to the end of the season, although it is almost certain that Carlin Motorsport will now have to find a permanent replacement in the World Series.