Tributes flood in for retiring Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel waving next to his Aston Martin car at the Austrian Grand Prix. Red Bull Ring July 2022.
Leading Formula 1 personalities have been paying tribute to Sebastian Vettel following his announcement that he is retiring the sport at the end of this season.
Having made his debut at the 2007 United States Grand Prix, the German is set to call it 300 races and out when he bids farewell at the Abu Dhabi GP in November.
Vettel won all four of his World Championships for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, and the team with whom he enjoyed most success were quick to express their gratitude upon news of his impending goodbye.
Danke, Seb 👏 Cheers for the great times and the four World Championships 🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z2D2igIJg1
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 28, 2022
In 2005, Vettel tested for Williams at Jerez after winning the Rookie Cup award in the Formula 3 Euro Series.
A lover of F1 history who has enjoyed a remarkable career 👏
Congratulations on all your achievements, Seb. Enjoy your retirement! 🤝#WeAreWilliams pic.twitter.com/616DYYUSWf
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) July 28, 2022
McLaren were always a rival of Vettel’s, most notably during his time at Red Bull, but they were also quick to send their well wishes.
Legend status. 👑 Congratulations on a remarkable career, Sebastian Vettel.
A champion on and off the track. pic.twitter.com/KU6fZABpNA
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 28, 2022
Likewise Alpine, whose Esteban Ocon was the driver Vettel battled in vain with for the win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix – only for the German to be subsequently disqualified for a fuel infringement. Alpine’s other current driver, Fernando Alonso, has been a long-time rival of Vettel.
Congratulations on all you have achieved, and will inevitably go on to achieve, Sebastian.
A total legend of our sport. 💙 pic.twitter.com/nfr6ChkF45
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) July 28, 2022
And of course, Aston Martin are Vettel’s current team – who are now tasked with finding a driver to replace him for 2023. Who will that be, we wonder?
Sebastian, you have inspired so many throughout your career, both in #F1 and beyond.
We’re proud to call you a teammate, a friend and to have been part of your journey, just as you have been part of ours. 💚 pic.twitter.com/PMKkn3uoF4
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 28, 2022
Martin Brundle has also passed on his best wishes to the four-time World Champion and, we agree, this won’t be goodbye to Sebastian Vettel, it is merely a farewell.
Farewell Seb, It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to witness your F1 career and many successes. Congratulations on everything and good luck with the next chapter of your life, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more from you. MB https://t.co/rBKbjNrrFa
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) July 28, 2022
Mick Schumacher expressed his sadness at Vettel’s decision to retire, but the close bond forged with him will last a lifetime.
I’m so sad that you’re leaving, but at the same time excited for you and this new chapter of your life. You’ve been and still are such an important person to me and I’m thankful for our friendship. pic.twitter.com/1iFmlxxgyQ
— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) July 28, 2022
Lewis Hamilton was the next to pay tribute to a driver who he came to know very well growing up through the motorsport ranks together.
Seb, it’s been an honour to call you a competitor and an ever greater honour to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man. pic.twitter.com/eHVmOpov2m
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 28, 2022
It was very much a love-hate relationship between Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari, but his former team put any old differences aside by posting this classy message.
It’s been an honour to share so many memories with you in Formula 1. Looking forward to enjoying the last few races together in the paddock.
Ti vogliamo bene, #Seb5 ❤️
Best of luck for your future challenges in life 👊 #essereFerrari🔴 @f1 pic.twitter.com/JiLO6WiowX— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 28, 2022
It wasn’t just current drivers and teams posting tributes to Vettel, it was ex-Formula 1 racers as well…
An incredible career and one of the best driver I've raced with. And Seb is one of the best person you can meet. F1 will miss you my friend https://t.co/oYGMcykwxW
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) July 28, 2022
That was then followed by a lengthy tribute from the man who was tasked with replacing Vettel at Ferrari: Carlos Sainz.
I will always cherish every moment we’ve spent together and I really look forward to the many more to come.
I’m sure this next chapter is going to be as thrilling and enriching as the previous one and I truly wish you and your family all the best for the future.
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 28, 2022
Lando Norris, who is 13 years younger than Vettel, described Vettel as “a guy I looked up to since I started, literally.”
A guy I looked up to since I started, literally. Thanks for being the role model we need and improving the sport we love. Danke Seb pic.twitter.com/1qe3nwiGP1
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) July 28, 2022
