Danke Seb: What is your favourite Vettel moment in Formula 1?

Sebastian Vettel will leave Formula 1 after the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The four-time World Champion is one of the most loved drivers of the most recent generation and has been on a proper rollercoaster of a career. To celebrate and say goodbye, we asked the editors of GPblog from around the world to name their favourite memory of Vettel. 

Camille Stocker Cassiède - French edition of GPblog

The best memory is probably Canada 2019. The change of poster in front of his car at the finish shows the man's nerve. He deserved the win and the penalty was unjustified. A masterpiece of F1 history. Since his arrival in Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel has been a significant character, always smiling, passionate and invested. His relationship with the Schumacher family is a notable fact that draws out compassion and makes us discover Vettel’s true personality. Throughout his career, he has remained passionate. He has also been involved in a number of important causes, such as the LGBT cause in Hungary and the cleaning of the stands at Silverstone. I don’t think there is one real memory, it’s the whole of his personality that will go down in the history of Formula One.

Andrea Bassini - Italian edition of GPblog

As an Italian, my most indelible memory of Sebastian Vettel has to be his first win in Ferrari, at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix. That year, I, as well as other Tifosi, had high hopes for the team, as the arrival of a multiple champion like Vettel meant a serious chance of winning the title. At the end of the race, Vettel's comment on the team radio remained in the annals. That 'Sì ragazzi! Mi senti? Mi senti? Grazie, grazie, grazie! Dai! Forza Ferrari!" will always remain with me. Even if his performances later proved to be erratic and the longed-for title never arrived, moments like that will always remain in my memory. 

Simone Tommasi - Italian edition of GPblog

One of the first moments that come to my mind when thinking about Sebastian Vettel's Formula 1 career is his victory in Singapore in 2015, his first year at Ferrari. On Saturday Vettel took a historic pole for the Scuderia after a 61-grand prix drought, and then won on Sunday. After crossing the finish line Vettel began singing 'L'Italiano', modified for the occasion, on the team radio, showing how he was already perfectly in tune with Ferrari. Such moments were repeated in the following years, making Vettel one of the most iconic drivers ever for Ferrari even without ever winning a world title.

Rubén Gómez Burillo - Spanish edition of GPblog

I didn't just take one Vettel moment, I took several. I remember the first victory at the 2008 Italian GP, I remember every fight with Fernando Alonso for every world title. Also, the fight between Vettel and Alonso at Silverstone in 2014. Vettel with Red Bull, far superior to Alonso, but Alonso held a very nice fight. Of course, I was left with the emotional moment, with Vettel's victory in Hungary in 2015, when he remembered Jules Bianchi, who had passed away that same weekend. For all this and much more, Danke Seb.

Femke Notermans - Dutch edition of GPblog

There are a lot of different moments that come to mind when thinking of Seb’s career in Formula 1, but one highlight that is maybe a bit underrated is the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix. It was a very painful season to watch as a Vettel and Ferrari fan, as he didn’t even finish in the top 10 in the drivers’ championship. Maybe it’s because of all the bad results that the Turkish GP brought so much joy when Vettel managed to get on the podium in the very last lap of the race. It’s sad to think it was one of his last podiums in F1, but it was a great one nonetheless.

Jacobine van den Berg - Dutch edition of GPblog

Seb’s only podium with Aston Martin so far (unfortunately the 2021 Hungarian GP podium got taken away), was at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2021. After a chaotic race with tires blowing up, including the ones from his teammate Lance Stroll, Vettel took advantage of Lewis Hamilton going straight at the restart. He came in second and brought home a trophy. It was so exciting seeing him back on the podium, but it’s sad knowing it’s been the last podium of his career.

Jordi Smit - Dutch edition of GPblog

For me, Vettel's finest moment dates back to 14 November 2010. The driver had failed to top the championship all season but still took the world title in Abu Dhabi by beating his teammate Mark Webber. He then reacted over the team radio very emotionally to his first world title in Formula 1. For me, that emotion proves what Vettel stands for: sincerity, love for the sport and being a true winner. 

Mathilde Caroline Pilemann Winther - Danish edition of GPblog

My favourite Vettel moment is hard to choose but it must be the overtake he made during the China GP in 2016, on the entrance to the pitlane. The overtake he made here during the safety car, right before the official pit entry was daring but it very well showed how strategically good Vettel is. His overview and his drive to win shines so clearly through when you see him make that perfect overtake and manage to slow down right before the pit entry. To me, this is an EXCELLENT Vettel moment.

Nicole Mulder - Dutch edition of GPblog

I remember his first win, his first world title and, of course, the three titles that followed. I remember how he reminded me of Michael Schumacher, whose iconic podium jump he seemed to have adopted. How proudly, almost fatherly he stood on the podium next to Max Verstappen when he took his first victory. Yet my favourite moments of Vettel came years later. When he visited schoolchildren to teach them about the importance of bees for the planet, and when he cleaned up litter in the grandstands at Silverstone. All without seeking publicity for it. Recently, Vettel said he hopes people will remember him as someone who is kind and treats others with respect. His four world titles will never be forgotten, but as a person he will be remembered as someone who wants to do good and who does his bit for a better world - while inspiring others to do the same.

Matt Gretton - English edition of GPblog

My favourite Sebastian Vettel moment didn't take place on the circuit or inside a car. During a promotional video for social media, Vettel named every single Formula 1 World Champion in reverse order all the way to 1950. It really proved that at heart, he is a fan of Formula 1 with passion. His love for the sport really shone through and it's rare to see a professional sportsperson do something like that. It was refreshing in a way. At the end of the day, he's just one of us.