Christian Horner’s tribute to Sebastian Vettel

Vettel joined Red Bull in 2009 from Toro Rosso. After his first season with the Austrian team, he finished as runner-up in the world championship, behind Jenson Button. Then, he went on to win four consecutive titles with the Austrian team. In 2014, he joined Ferrari following the difficulties encountered by Red Bull with the introduction of hybrid engines.

Even after leaving the stable, Sebastian Vettel maintained a good relationship with Christian Horner and the rest of the Red Bull garage. The Brit said, “It has been a pleasure to have him as part of our team. We have achieved great things together. I have seen him grow and become a man, he is a person with strong principles and convictions.”

We have seen throughout his career that he did not hesitate to take a stand for causes that passionate him, and rightly so. His family is very important to him. He keeps his private life away from everything.

« And now that his Formula 1 career is coming to an end, I’m sure he has a lot of things he wants to do in his life. I’m convinced he will still achieve great things. It’s going to be sad not to see him around anymore. But I think it’s the right time for him.

»

It’s not pleasant to see him fighting in the midfield. He doesn’t deserve this. I think it’s the right time for him to quit Formula 1.

Memorable memories!

The leader did not fail to pay tribute to the German pilot’s commitment on and off the track during his years at Red Bull.

It’s something that stands out with Seb, from the beginning, you could see that he was a young person very focused with an excellent work ethic. He worked hard, he worked very late, and had a great sense of humor that fit well with the team, and he adapted to the culture immediately.

He made himself appreciated everywhere he went here, whether it was by bringing chocolate to the secretaries or by learning the lingo in the garage. His mastery of Cockney slang became legendary.

Christian Horner recalls the good years spent with the four-time world champion. The driver that he was able to witness growing up and becoming unbeatable, achieving incredible records, and thus becoming one of the greatest drivers of his generation.

He was fantastic in the cars that we produced during this period. It was a happy time in F1. There were tough competitors, big teams that we were up against, and we achieved exceptional successes.

At that time, he was very focused, not only on winning, but also on setting records. It meant a lot to him.

He was getting stronger and stronger. In 2009, we were still a young team, just like him. And we made some mistakes. In 2010, he was by far the best driver on the grid. We had reliability issues, but against all odds, he won the championship at the end of the year.

« In 2011, he built on that. 2012 was a very difficult year. He had only won one race before leaving Europe. And he had won, I think, four races in a row to be neck and neck with Alonso in the last race in Brazil.
»

Then in 2013, he dominated the debates, nine consecutive victories… It was for me his best year. He brought together all the necessary ingredients and was truly a cut above the rest that year.

Sebastian Vettel will leave Formula 1 after spending 16 years in the premier category. He will leave behind the image of a highly talented and dominant driver, but also that of a charming and highly appreciated man in the paddock and by the fans.