Vettel has overall been Ham's has greatest competitor throughout the decades. It was a race for quite a while as who would be first to 5th and 6th WDC, but Ham just kept on going till his 7th. Seb came close a few times with Ferrari, he really deserved a WDC with them, would have been amazing, but alas.
I’m willing to bet Seb will be a part of the new Sauber team backed by Audi in 2024. If not in a driving role, then in a management role. And obviously they’ll get Mick on board as well.
Honestly i’m finding it hard to imagine f1 without Seb so I imagine it must feel really strange for Lewis knowing that someone who has been a constant presence in your racing career for such a long time won’t be on the grid next year
And not to mention seb is one of the few drivers on the grid that Lewis is extremely close with. I remember reading that when seb wanted to retire the 1st time it was lewis who talked him out of it
As a huge fan of the Pixar Cars movies, to me, this is pretty much Cars 3. Older racers starting to retire and newer (hopefully faster) ones taking their place. Only 5 drivers on the grid next year raced in F1 pre hybrid era.
It's not unusual for a driver to retire then return a couple years later. Never have I ever wanted this more in Sebs case. Never thought I'd have so much love for a bloke I've never met.
I dunno, I think I’m starting to move through the grief curve here into acceptance. Compared to other retire-and-return champs, I think Seb has much more he wants to accomplish off track and those goals could be enough to keep him from returning. I just hope he stays in the limelight at least and graces the F1 punditry scene from time to time!
I think he will return (100% not in denial) but spots on the grid need to open up (either through rookie/young talent cycling through or a new team joins).
I am a lifelong F1 fan, who has seen Mario Andretti race on the old 14 mile or so old Nuerburgring, and through the years, many greats have come and gone. Seb will definitely be missed. Watching last weeks Abu Dhabi GP on TV, I noticed Belgian Jacky Ickx, one of the greats, who never won a world championship. In those days, some of the drivers would die in crashes every year. It is good to see this rarely happen anymore.
Good to see Lewis is in denial like me
lewis just doesnt want to feel so old lol
Vettel besides Alonso is the only driver thats left from the grid when he started.
Vettel has overall been Ham's has greatest competitor throughout the decades. It was a race for quite a while as who would be first to 5th and 6th WDC, but Ham just kept on going till his 7th. Seb came close a few times with Ferrari, he really deserved a WDC with them, would have been amazing, but alas.
1st stage of grief. sigh
I’m willing to bet Seb will be a part of the new Sauber team backed by Audi in 2024. If not in a driving role, then in a management role. And obviously they’ll get Mick on board as well.
We all need a little hopium in our lives.
If Porsche jumps in, Seb is a fine candidate to help start it up.
Schumi/Mercedes vibes. All we can do is hope.
God I’d love to see what kinda wizardry Porsche could pull off
Is Porsche jumping in as a new team?
Seb retires - Michael retired
Nah. Don’t want to see him struggle again like he did in AM
I've heard rumors about "Sauber", which becomes audi in a few years.
Honestly i’m finding it hard to imagine f1 without Seb so I imagine it must feel really strange for Lewis knowing that someone who has been a constant presence in your racing career for such a long time won’t be on the grid next year
And not to mention seb is one of the few drivers on the grid that Lewis is extremely close with. I remember reading that when seb wanted to retire the 1st time it was lewis who talked him out of it
It's comforting to see he is in as much denial as I am
"He's just on Seb-batical"
God dammit
Lewis next year: "Sebastian, my dear Sebastian. I miss you."
You really didn't have to make me cry...
Ah ffs there goes my night 🥲
Lewis in 10 years: “Been awhile since we’ve seen this legend. Probably will come back any day now but for now we wait #blessed”
Yeah he will just take a sabbatical like Mika :')
Lewis encouraged Seb not to retire when Ferrari let him go.
I imagine Lewis sending messages to Seb every race weekend next year
Heard that new Audi team is looking for a German driver. Trust me, having Bottas as your teammate is pretty sweet!
This weekend and the drivers comments about Seb and especially Hamiltons hits right in the feels
Seb isn't getting chucked out of the group chat any time soon, lol
Dear Seb, I wrote you but you still ain’t callin’
“Hey Seb, finally got my 8th. Knew you were Michael’s biggest fan, sorry to disappoint.”
This made me laugh so hard b
Your biggest fan, Ham
Read
Sounds like messages you get from NPCs in games. Like mails in Pokemon Gen 2.
Fuck that was painful to read. Ugh.
Lewis is on Full Copium.
Those are wild photos, to think these guys went on to dominate F1 for a decade.
Looks like Lewis had a side of copium with his dinner, just like the rest of us.
They're kids in the first picture.
When was that from 05 or 06?
2005 European Formula 3 Lausitz Race 1
It’s been real to me dammit!
I remember Michael talking about Seb as a fresh, young, perspective driver… Feeling old
Lookit those cutie little cherubic faces
I don't think he'll be back, personally. I think he's got more important things to do.
This man is in denial
They look so young in the first one
Stahp Im gonna cry, all these messages are just ramping up before Sunday
The two dudes that got me into f1. Respect.
Lewis with a guitar: byeee byeee Vettel, Sebastian
Miss you when I'm losing traction
This is a fantastic comment. That song will now be stuck in my head for three days.
Amazing! Also now on a loop in my head...
Beautiful friendship between the two.
As a huge fan of the Pixar Cars movies, to me, this is pretty much Cars 3. Older racers starting to retire and newer (hopefully faster) ones taking their place. Only 5 drivers on the grid next year raced in F1 pre hybrid era.
Let's see if Lewis has another win in him like McQueen
Someone check up on this man, he's been going through it like most of us.
Lewis is done with Denial stage then.
You saw them in their teens and early twenties. You blinked twice and now you are here. It sucks. It hurts. Time flies.
Omg they look like babies!
They were babies 🥺
It's not unusual for a driver to retire then return a couple years later. Never have I ever wanted this more in Sebs case. Never thought I'd have so much love for a bloke I've never met.
I just don't see him coming back like Lewis does.
Really hoping Seb goes the Mika Hakkinen route and does a sabbatical
Please Hollywood, make Rush 2 and make it about hamilton and seb
I dunno, I think I’m starting to move through the grief curve here into acceptance. Compared to other retire-and-return champs, I think Seb has much more he wants to accomplish off track and those goals could be enough to keep him from returning. I just hope he stays in the limelight at least and graces the F1 punditry scene from time to time!
Lewis, you just wait sunshine
Lewis so certain Seb will come back. Maybe already talks at Merc?
Haha
Didn't realize there's so much connection between them lol
I think he will return (100% not in denial) but spots on the grid need to open up (either through rookie/young talent cycling through or a new team joins).
Let's hope he comes back just in time for Kimi too as well... all in time before Lewis hangs up his gloves and Alonso for that matter.
at the least he should sub a race for the even 300 race starts
Babies!
What's that Sutton logo on Seb's arm in the last pic?
It’s a motorsport photography agency, now under Motorsport Images.
Join the WEC and Indy 500! Go for that Triple Crown, Seb!
Sebastian in a hypercar does sound awesome. Lots of potential teams too considering how much the class expands over the next two years.
Helmet design has come so far
I am a lifelong F1 fan, who has seen Mario Andretti race on the old 14 mile or so old Nuerburgring, and through the years, many greats have come and gone. Seb will definitely be missed. Watching last weeks Abu Dhabi GP on TV, I noticed Belgian Jacky Ickx, one of the greats, who never won a world championship. In those days, some of the drivers would die in crashes every year. It is good to see this rarely happen anymore.
Should've been a shot of Canada 2019 Parc Ferme
Hopium 😭
It’s allowed to let toodlers playing with champagne ? Oh wait ..
Lewis with the Copium right there
Those were the days.