Former F1 champion Sebastian Vettel already put on a show on Sunday in a historic Ferrari of Michael Schumacher. Ahead of the Italian GP, the German made the circuit unsafe with the screaming V10 engine of the F2002. Vettel is a great admirer of Schumacher and also followed in the footsteps of his hero in Formula 1 by racing for the Scuderia for six seasons.
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On Saturday, Rubens Barrichello, former teammate of Schumacher, had already taken action with the F2002. However, Sunday was Vettel’s turn, who since his retirement in 2022 has only sporadically visited the F1 paddock. Since then, he has mainly been involved with climate issues and calls for attention to a more sustainable future. Thus, he drove demonstration laps at Monza with an advanced sustainable fuel.
‘For my friend Michael’
After a few demonstration laps and the necessary donuts on the straight, Vettel appeared in front of the Formula 1 cameras. He expressed gratitude for this unique opportunity. “On the one hand, it’s such a beautiful car to drive, but above all, it’s Michael’s car,” he responded emotionally. “He is not here today, but I felt his presence very strongly during these laps and I hope you also heard and felt him.”
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Vettel’s performance is part of a broader celebration of Schumacher. Thirty years after his first Ferrari victory at Monza, the Italian team and the Italian Grand Prix are reflecting on the legacy of the seven-time world champion. For example, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are racing all weekend with a special Schumacher livery and the entire Ferrari team is wearing special racing suits. Schumacher won five consecutive world titles with the Scuderia between 2000 and 2004, an achievement that remains unique in Formula 1 to this day.
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