Sebastian Vettel made his return to an F1 car at Monza, but this was much more than a normal demonstration run. The four-time world champion got behind the wheel of Michael Schumacher’s iconic Ferrari F2002 as part of a special tribute to his childhood hero and former friend. Vettel drove several laps before the Italian Grand Prix, bringing the famous Ferrari back onto the Monza track and giving fans an emotional moment.
For Vettel, driving the car was clearly an emotional experience. After getting out, he struggled to hold back his emotions and spoke about how special the moment felt. He said it was not just a beautiful car to drive, but “Michael’s car”, and that he could feel Schumacher’s presence during the laps. Vettel also treated the Monza crowd to a few donuts, adding some fun to an otherwise emotional tribute. The weekend marked 30 years since Schumacher joined Ferrari, making Vettel’s run in the F2002 even more meaningful.
Sebastian Vettel surprises Max Verstappen during Red Bull return
Sebastian Vettel made a welcome return to the Red Bull garage at Monza, bringing back memories of his successful years with the team. The four-time world champion spent time with the Red Bull crew during the Italian Grand Prix weekend and was greeted warmly by the people he worked with during his F1 career. Vettel raced for Red Bull from 2009 to 2014 and won four straight world championships with the team.
But Vettel’s visit was not just about meeting old friends. He also left a small surprise for Max Verstappen. Before leaving the garage, Vettel signed Verstappen’s helmet visor and left it for the Dutch driver. It was a simple gesture, but a pretty special one considering both drivers have won four world titles with Red Bull. Vettel helped build Red Bull into a dominant force in F1, while Verstappen later continued that success. Seeing Vettel back in the Red Bull garage, even for a short time, was a nice moment for the team and fans at Monza.
