F1 tributes after Sebastian Vettel announcement

Sebastian Vettel has decided to leave F1 and retire at the end of the 2022 season. At 35, the four-time German world champion wishes to put aside his life as a pilot to devote himself to his role as a father and husband. The personality, track record and longevity of Sebastian Vettel will leave a big void in the paddock. The actors of the latter, competitors, teams and managers paid tribute to the driver wearing the number 5.

Seb, it's been an honor to call you a competitor and an ever greater honor to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you find 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

ALSO READ > Retirement – ​​Highlights of Sebastian Vettel’s career

Enjoy your retirement Seb, you're a true F1 legend! You'll be missed mate. pic.twitter.com/TgWJA6i2vq

- George Russell (@ GeorgeRussell63) July 28, 2022

« Seb', it was an honor to call you my competitor and a greater honor to consider you a friend. Leaving the sport in a better state than we found it is always our goal. I have no doubt that the rest of your life will be stimulating, meaningful and worth it. I love you, man. “, said Lewis Hamilton in a tweet. More concisely, his teammate at Mercedes, George Russell, invites Sebastian Vettel to “ enjoy your retirement. You are a true F1 legend and we will miss you. »

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 grateful for our friendship. pic.twitter.com/1iFmlxxgyQ

— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) July 28, 2022

Mick Schumacher, whom Sebastian Vettel has taken under his wing since his F1 debut with Haas, last year, paid a particularly vibrant tribute to his compatriot. “ I'm so sad that you're leaving, but also happy for you and this new chapter in your life. You are, and always will be, a very important person to me and I am so grateful for our friendship. Thank you for everything you have brought to the sport we both love. I can't wait for our last races together. Thank you Seb, you are an inspiration. »

ALSO READ > Sebastian Vettel, the figures of an exceptional career

The beautiful anecdote of Pierre Gasly

The Frenchman Pierre Gasly, from the Hungaroring paddock on the sidelines of the Hungarian GP, ​​told a great anecdote about Sebastian Vettel, who helped him when the pilot Alpha Tauri took its first steps into the bosom of Red Bull Racing. " F1 will miss him as he is a legend of the sport. Just look his career stats. He has a sharp personality. He is a character in the paddock, we will miss him. Personally, I have enormous respect for him. When I arrived in the Red Bull program, I was able to learn from his last year in Milton Keynes (2014) to see the efforts, the work he put in, his investment in F1. When I won in GP2 in 2016, I was not promoted directly to F1. I called him for 5 minutes to get his opinion on all this, to get his opinion, his advice for this situation with Red Bull. It became a 1 hour conversation. He was driving for Ferrari, I was obviously at the bottom of his consideration list but he offered me all this time. He helped me know how to deal with what was happening, giving me advice to turn the situation in my favor. I am grateful to him. Since then, we have had regular dinners together. He's a fantastic guy, and an incredible pilot. »

The various teams for which Sebastian Vettel competed also praised the exceptional career of “Baby Schumi”. “ Thank you Seb, well done and thank you for the good times and the four world championships“, writes Red Bull. “ It was an honor to share so many moments with you in Formula 1, tweets the official Ferrari account. We look forward to enjoying our last races together. Good luck for the future challenges of your life »

As Sebastian Vettel has just announced his retirement at the end of 2022, I would like to pay tribute to his fantastic career with 4 @FIA @F1 World Driver's Championships & 53 wins. Thank you Sebastian for all that you brought to our sport! I wish you all the best for the future. pic.twitter.com/mQIU795ngV

- Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) July 28, 2022

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also took part in the wave of tributes to Sebastian Vettel, welcoming “ his fantastic career marked by 4 world championship titles and 53 victories. Thank you Sebastian for everything you have brought to our sport. I wish you the best."

But if there is one driver who can understand the period Sebastien Vettel went through, it is Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard also announced his retirement before returning to Formula 1 with Alpine. " What can we say, we will miss him after so many years of sharing the track together. We had some great fights, obviously in each of his titles I was there in a certain way. He is a great champion but also a great man with strong values ​​and a charming family. This is probably one of the reasons that pushed him to quit if I understood correctly so I wish him all the best and I hope to see him again in the paddock », Underlines the veteran of the grid. 

ALSO READ > OFFICIAL: Sebastian Vettel to retire at end of season