Метка: Sebastian Vettel

Tearful Vettel ‘finishing Senna’s job’ with Austrian flag tribute at F1 Imola

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


This month marked the 30-year anniversary of Senna’s fatal accident at Imola on 1 May 1994, which came the day after Austrian Ratzenberger lost his life in a crash.

The death of Ratzenberger, which itself followed a serious practice accident for Senna’s compatriot Rubens Barrichello, shook the Williams driver to the core at the time.

In the wreckage of Senna’s crashed car, marshals found an unfurled Austrian flag that he intended to wave on the cool-down lap as a tribute to the Simtek driver.

With the blessing of the Senna family, four-time world champion Vettel organised an elaborate tribute to both Senna and Ratzenberger, which included a demo run in the Brazilian’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8, which Vettel owns.

Waving both the Brazilian and Austrian flags during the run, Vettel said it was a way to «finish the job» that Senna had in mind.

«Obviously, the Brazilian flag was clear, because it was something that he used to do after the races,» Vettel explained.

«But I know the same story [about the Austrian flag Senna had prepared]. I was thinking about it, whether it’s the right thing to try and finish the job.

«I don’t think it will ever be finished, it’s not about finishing, but trying to just make people remember.

«It felt very special when I got the flag out and very special when I got both of them out. It was a very special and very meaningful weekend for me.»

Sebastian Vettel drives Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/8

Sebastian Vettel drives Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/8

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Vettel, who retired from F1 at the end of 2022 after a 15-year stint with BMW, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, said his tribute run provoked «one of the strongest emotions» ever in his career.

Asked if the demo, which was greeted enthusiastically by the Italian tifosi, left him teary-eyed, Vettel replied: «Yeah, definitely.

«It’s difficult to put in words, I think it was one of the strongest emotions I felt behind the wheel despite being alone on track and not even racing.

«Incredible. When I got the flags out, the people… it was so powerful. 

«I’m happy that I had the courage to address my idea and invite the Senna family. And I only got positive feedback.

«The compassion he had, the courage he had to speak his mind. Pushing education, trying to fight poverty in his country.

«In many ways, he was ahead of the game as a person of that time, but also as a racing driver in particular.

«And therefore it’s a very important and powerful story to share, especially with young drivers coming up.»



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Vettel still unsure about 2024 Le Mans debut after Porsche test

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Vettel covered 581km at the wheel of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s WEC challenger at Motorland Aragon earlier this week. The four-time Formula 1 world champion had previously taken part in a simulator day as well as an inaugural run at the German marque’s Weissach track.

Despite playing down future opportunities before the test, claiming «at the moment there are no further plans for the future», Vettel has now acknowledged the possibility of taking part in the French endurance classic for the first time.

Speaking during a press conference in his role as Perple sports drink’s ambassador, Vettel clarified: «I was curious how these cars behave, and that was the reason for the test. It was a very nice experience, I enjoyed it a lot, I had a lot of fun.

«Now I need to think and decide, and make my mind up what I maybe want to do in terms of racing in the future. But I don’t know yet.»

Vettel retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 campaign, concluding a successful 16-year career during which he took 57 pole positions and 122 podium finishes, including 53 race wins.

When he announced his retirement in July 2022, the German explained: «My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow, passing on my values, helping them up when they fall, listening to them when they need me, not having to say goodbye and most importantly being able to learn from them and let them inspire me.»

Sebastian Vettel, Porsche 963

Sebastian Vettel, Porsche 963

Photo by: Porsche Motorsport

Therefore, Vettel has not taken part in any competitive racing since leaving F1, although he is understood to have been in preliminary talks with Porsche customer squad Jota for a WEC programme last year.

Porsche will now enter a third factory car at Circuit de la Sarthe to boost its chances, having taken pole position, victory and a double podium finish in the inaugural round of the 2024 WEC season in Qatar earlier this month.

Porsche had previously stated that it would use its IMSA SportsCar Championship roster to complete the line-up for its third Le Mans entry, leaving Nick Tandy, Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron as the only drivers in the running to share the #4 car alongside Mathieu Jaminet, who has already been nominated by the German constructor on the entry list.

Porsche had been planning to announce the full line-up in either late March or early April but might have changed its stance following Vettel’s successful test in Spain.

As a potential Le Mans debut becomes more credible, Vettel was asked whether he would have the Perple drink in his car during those 24 Hours. «If I decide to… I’ll tell you what, it was in the drinks pouch when I tested the car!» he replied. «So yeah, should I race in Le Mans, 100% it will be there, because it’s exactly what I would need at a race where you sit in the car for a very long time.»

Watch: BrrrakeF1 — Under the Skin of Endurance Racing’s Advanced Tech



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Four-time F1 world champion Vettel to test Porsche’s Le Mans hypercar

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Vettel will take the wheel of the 963, which Porsche runs in collaboration with American powerhouse Penske, at a 36-hour test at MotorLand Aragon in Spain.

The 36-year-old German has already turned his first laps of the prototype at Porsche’s Weissach base following extensive simulator running.

“I’m looking forward to testing the Porsche 963. I already got the chance to get a feel for the car during a rollout in Weissach,” said Vettel.

“I’ve always followed other racing series and my curiosity for endurance events encouraged me to just give it a shot. Now I’m excited about the long run in Aragon and I’m looking forward to my time behind the wheel.

«It’ll definitely take an adjustment and some getting used to but everyone in the team is very open and helps me. This will be a new experience for me.»

Sebastian Vettel tests the Porsche 963

Sebastian Vettel tests the Porsche 963

Photo by: Porsche Motorsport

Porsche Motorsport vice president Thomas Laudenbach revealed Vettel had asked him if there was an opportunity to join a test, with Porsche more than happy to accommodate him.

“We’re delighted that Sebastian Vettel is interested in our Porsche 963,” explained Laudenbach.

“There was no question for us that we’d be thrilled to support his request for an opportunity to test and provide him with extensive preparation and plenty of time to drive our hybrid prototype.»

Vettel, who called time on his F1 career at the end of 2022, is known to have been in preliminary talks with Porsche customer team Jota last year over driving one of its 963 prototypes in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

But while endurance racing appears to be an option that piques Vettel’s interest, the German stressed he has «no further plans» as things stand.

«We will see what happens next in this respect – at the moment there are no further plans for the future,» he specified.

Vettel will join a planned 36-hour endurance test at Aragon’s popular testing venue with six of Porsche Penske’s works drivers as it gears up for June’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

The team recently took its first victory in WEC’s hypercar era at the opening round in Qatar with Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor and Kevin Estre.

It will add a third car to the works line-up for Le Mans to boost its chances of a first overall win in the French endurance classic since 2017.

Since its introduction last year, the Porsche 963 has also found success in America’s IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship, taking three wins in 2023 as well as a victory at the Daytona 24 Hours early this year.

Sebastian Vettel tests the Porsche 963

Sebastian Vettel tests the Porsche 963

Photo by: Porsche Motorsport

Watch: BrrrakeF1 — Under the Skin of Endurance Racing’s Advanced Tech



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