Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel have always shared a very special bond. Their relationship dates back to the latter’s junior career when Schumacher acted as a mentor to help him grow. In the end, Vettel not only made it to F1 but ended up leaving it as a legend of the sport with four World Championships to his name.
Schumacher followed Vettel’s career closely and always knew that he was a special talent. Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger revealed a conversation between himself and Schumacher while they were vacationing in Mauritius. The fact that Vettel was going to be a future star became evident after what Schumacher told Berger.
Sebastian Vettel v Michael Schumacher when they joined Ferrari. #F1 pic.twitter.com/DoSxobIFgE
— #DankeSeb ♡ (@sebvettelnews) January 8, 2015
“I met Michael on vacation in Mauritius and asked him how he was doing in the world of Kart,” Berger said to Corriere. “He replied that there was only one boy aged 12-13. Who made life difficult for him and it was Sebastian Vettel”.
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Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s relationship through the years
Vettel and Schumacher are from two different eras in F1 but still managed to share the grid on multiple occasions. Schumacher left the sport initially after the 2006 F1 season, but made a return in 2010. That year marked the start of Vettel and Red Bull’s period of dominance in F1.
Schumacher stayed in F1 with Mercedes until 2012 and oversaw his protégé winning three World Titles. The very next year, he suffered a tragic skiing accident that has left him bedridden ever since, but Vettel has stated that they still remain close.
Vettel about Michael Schumacher: ‘He was able to drive the red car faster than everyone else and to get the most out of every race. He was still able to get extra performance like I haven’t seen anyone else do. And that for many years”. @Sportbuzzer #F1
— #DankeSeb ♡ (@sebvettelnews) January 2, 2021
With Schumacher now retired from the sport, Vettel has taken up the responsibility of mentoring his hero’s son Mick, who is trying to follow in their footsteps. The young German made his debut in 2021 with Haas and spent two years in F1 until his sacking by Haas at the end of the previous season. Vettel has insisted on multiple occasions that the 23-year-old is a huge talent and will make it big in F1.
Vettel himself won’t be in F1 from 2023 onwards, after announcing his retirement from the sport at the end of the 2022 season. However, it seems obvious that he will continue to maintain his close relationship with the Schumacher family and act as a mentor for Mick Schumacher.
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