Vettel retired from F1 after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, bringing to an in depth an illustrious profession that noticed him win 4 world championships (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013), 53 victories, 57 pole positions and 122 podium finishes.
Hamilton and Vettel each made their F1 debuts in 2007 and shared 10 of the subsequent 13 world championships from 2008 onwards, together with instantly battling one another for the drivers’ crown in 2017 and 2018.
Regardless of their on-track rivalry, the pair have developed a powerful friendship and supported each other in taking a stand in opposition to racial inequality, human rights points and environmental issues.
“I believe everybody goes to overlook Seb,” Hamilton stated in an interview with C4. “I’m actually grateful and actually honoured really to have the connection that I do with him.
“Typically I believe, constructing [relationships] with quite a lot of the drivers, there’s a distinct relationship I really feel I’ve. It’s rising with them, some lower than others, however one I’m actually, actually grateful for is Seb.
“A person that genuinely actually stands by his phrase. Stuffed with integrity. Typically simply very type and humble however filled with humility. But in addition compassion.
“He’s one of many solely drivers that stands for one thing. What different driver right here has actually, really stood for one thing apart from themselves? That’s one thing to actually be admired in a human being.
“He will probably be missed on the monitor. I believe he’s in all probability one of many few drivers that I’ll all the time… in 20 or 30 years time, we’ll nonetheless be mates.”
Vettel’s retirement leaves Hamilton, 37, and 41-year-old Fernando Alonso as the one drivers who competed in 2007 nonetheless on the grid in F1 2023.
Hamilton has stated he expects to see Vettel return to F1 at some stage.