Sebastian Vettel insists he is not a star, even though Germany's F1 sensation will have the support of a nation this weekend.

Germany has been desperate to roar on a new hero since seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher retired at the end of 2006, with Red Bull Racing's Vettel viewed as the man to take up the mantle.

The 22-year-old is seen as a champion-in-waiting, and after his British Grand Prix triumph three weeks ago, has momentum on his side ahead of his race on home soil on Sunday.

Yet the somewhat bashful Vettel, although flattered by all the natural attention in the build-up to the Nurburgring showdown, is simply trying to take everything in his stride.

"I don't consider myself as a star," said Vettel, who still bears the nickname of 'Baby Schumi'.

"Obviously, it's special to be here, being a German taking part in the German Grand Prix, just as it must have been for Jenson (Button) and Lewis (Hamilton) at Silverstone.

"It will be nice to see a lot of people cheering. If anything it gives you more power and maybe that extra little you need.

"Of course there are more people and maybe more attention here in Germany, but in the end the thing that matters most is the racing.

"You have to sometimes forget everyone and everything around you and just focus on what really matters, even though it might be a bit more difficult to keep that focus.

"In the end you can get 10 points, in England, Australia, here. You don't get any more points for winning here than anywhere else.

"It's nicer to win your home grand prix, but there's a long way to go."

There is still the small matter of a 25-point gap to championship leader Jenson Button to bridge, which Vettel appreciates will be far from easy despite the comfortable success at Silverstone.

"It will be a very, very close fight until the end of the season," assessed Vettel.

"Obviously they (Brawn GP) are in a better position than we are, but we will try everything we can at every single race.

"They didn't have such a good race in Silverstone, and we had a great race, and all of a sudden people are talking more about a closer fight.

"If it turns their way here again then people will have a different opinion, and if it continues to go our way it will be closer.

"But there is still a long, long way because right now we are more of less halfway through the season.

"We didn't always do the best job possible in the first couple of races, but we are still in a very strong position, and we are here to fight."