Sebastian Vettel ‘will feel all the emotions’ at last Italian Grand Prix

Henry Valantine
Sebastian Vettel on the grid. Zandvoort September 2022.

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel wears a 'climate justice now' shirt on the grid. Zandvoort September 2022.

Sebastian Vettel said it will be an emotional time for him when he heads back to Monza for the final time as a Formula 1 driver this weekend.

Vettel took an unexpected maiden pole and victory in wet conditions back in 2008 in a midfield Toro Rosso at the time, underlining his potential as one of the best drivers in Formula 1.

He was ultimately promoted to Red Bull for the following year, and he went on to take two further wins at the Temple of Speed during two of his World Championship-winning years.

While his Aston Martin is unlikely to prove a match for Red Bull and Max Verstappen this weekend, he intends to make the most of his swansong at Monza and take in all he can.

 

 

“I will feel all the emotions when I arrive at Monza – the track where I took my very first F1 win – for one final time,” Vettel said ahead of the weekend.

“I have always loved the unique feel of the circuit and the challenge it provides, as well as the energy from the fans. I will feel every moment of that intensity this time.

“The influence and characteristics of this year’s ground effect cars should be interesting – I hope that we see more action at what is typically a tough track for overtaking.”

Monza a special place for Formula 1 and Sebastian Vettel

Not only is Vettel still loved by the Ferrari faithful, that day in the rain in 2008 was the springboard for one of the great Formula 1 careers, and will go down in folklore because of it.

Whether or not it will weigh on his mind that he did not win at Monza for Ferrari is for him to know, but his three victories at the Temple of Speed should provide plenty of lasting memories nonetheless.

His former team revealed a special one-off livery and race suits for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, with plenty of added yellow to celebrate the team’s roots, 75 years of Ferrari as a car brand and 100 years of Monza.

But while Vettel will be wearing British Racing Green at the weekend, you can rest assured that he will get a well-deserved send-off from the tifosi before heading into retirement.

Read more: Can Max Verstappen put the F1 title all but out of reach on Ferrari’s home soil?