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F1 drivers paid tribute to Sebastian Vettel following his retirement announcement.
F1 drivers paid tribute to Sebastian Vettel following his retirement announcement.
Lewis Hamilton has praised rival Sebastian Vettel for supporting his anti-racism campaign, after the four-time world champion confirmed he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
Vettel announced on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian GP, that he will sign off at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November, which will mark his 300th race.
Hamilton and Vettel made their F1 debuts in 2007 and would share 10 of the next 13 World Championships from 2008.
Vettel repeatedly stood by Hamilton when the Briton knelt to protest racial inequality during the 2020 season, and has also been a vehement supporter of other human rights and environmental issues.
“There is no lack of courage in Sebastian,” Hamilton said on Thursday, after paying tribute to Vettel on social media.
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“He’s been one of the very, very few drivers in the history of racing who’s represented so much more than himself. He’s used his voice for things that I’ve fought for and he’s stood by me, he’s taken a knee, he’s ‘he went on his own journey and stood up and fought for things he believed in and for the greater good.
Vettel repeatedly knelt next to Lewis Hamilton
“I think he’s just a very beautiful human being and I’m very grateful that he was here at a time when he was competing.
“It was impressive to watch his World Championship. I’m sad to have arrived today and to see the news, but I know that whatever he does and what he does next will be even better.”
After making his debut in 2007, Vettel won four consecutive world championships for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, the first of which made him the youngest title winner in the sport.
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Take a look at Vettel’s journey to win his four F1 World Championships for Red Bull.
Take a look at Vettel’s journey to win his four F1 World Championships for Red Bull.
The 35-year-old German, who spent six seasons with Ferrari after joining the Italian team in 2015, will spend the rest of his final campaign with Aston Martin.
Vettel is currently third on the all-time Grand Prix winning list with 53 wins, behind only Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, while his 13 wins in 2013 leave him tied with Schumacher for the most wins in a season
‘You could never count him out’ | “Everyone in the paddock loves him”
Several other drivers paid tribute to Vettel as they spoke to the media on Thursday.
Charles Leclerc (Vettel’s partner in Ferrari 2019-20)
Charles Leclerc and Vettel were teammates for two seasons at Ferrari
Without a doubt, a legend of this sport. For me, I have spent two years in the same team as Sebastian and I have grown a lot as a driver and as a person.
I walked this path with him, so he’s seen me change as a person, which I think there’s a special connection.
He’s always been really nice and that’s what I’ll miss the most about Seb, he’s the person he is. Just a simple and very nice guy. I hope he still comes to see us at next year’s races.
Daniel Ricciardo (Teammate of Vettel Red Bull 2014)
It’s sad in a way, of course, because you’re losing a bit of a sports legend.
Obviously, I personally got to spend some time with him, which was a privilege. I learned a lot in 2014 with him and even before that, being a reserve driver and just being with the team and seeing how he would work. He had a lot of good traits and a way of getting people behind him and rallying. He is a very motivated person and we will certainly miss him.
He is a very fine-tuned pilot, very knowledgeable about the sport because he just lives and breathes it. It was like everything. It sounds simple, but he just knew everything that was going on, so you could never count him out.
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Vettel has explained more about why he has decided to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
Vettel has explained more about why he has decided to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
Fernando Alonso (second to Vettel in 2010, 2012 and 2013 World Championships)
(It’s not) the news I want. Last year there were some rumors that it might stop, but this year it came true.
An incredible driver, a legend of our sport. I spent so much time and (had so many) battles with him during my career with him.
So I will miss him, and not just as a pilot, I think he has very strong values and is a very good human being. I wish him the best and we will miss him.
Mick Schumacher (mentored by fellow German Vettel)
It will leave a big hole behind, that’s for sure. Obviously, it’s something that probably hits me a little harder than some others, just because I lose a friend in that regard.
Obviously we’ll see him courtside, but courtside and just having someone to talk to, it’s definitely a loss.
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Simon Lazenby joins Martin Brundle to discuss Vettel’s retirement and look ahead to this weekend’s Hungarian GP.
Simon Lazenby joins Martin Brundle to discuss Vettel’s retirement and look ahead to this weekend’s Hungarian GP.
Max Verstappen
He has achieved so much in this sport that it is totally understandable that he retires. Seeing him go is something you can see coming. Everyone gets older and of course it’s not nice for Seb’s fans, but these things happen and now he can enjoy some time with his family.
In F1 you work hard to achieve all these things he has achieved and now is the time for him to enjoy.
Carlos Sainz
For me, even before he came to Formula 1 he was a great role model. I had the privilege of being a simulation driver when I was at my peak with Red Bull, winning championships. I could see how professional he was and it gave me a good insight into how you have to behave and how you have to be, to be a successful F1 driver like him.
Everyone in the paddock loves him and you won’t hear anyone say anything bad about Seb. I think that speaks to his personality – his life as a human being not just as a driver.
He will be missed and I also hope we can see him back in the paddock to help with development in certain areas which I think he has spoken a lot about and I hope he can continue to give us a hand on that side.