– It was an emotional moment, shortly before the Italian Grand Prix in Monza: Sebastian Vettel circled the royal park of Monza in the Ferrari F2002 – the world championship car known as the “Red Goddess,” with which Michael Schumacher made history in the 2002 Formula 1 season.
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The Tifosi cheered exuberantly, and Vettel himself could hardly hold back his emotions afterwards. “I am full of mixed feelings. On the one hand, this car is wonderful to drive. It is a great piece of technology,” Vettel said on F1 TV.
“But even more importantly: It is Michael’s car. He is not here today, but I felt him very strongly during these laps,” revealed the former Formula 1 driver, who had a good relationship with Schumacher during his active career.
“We used to joke that when one of us started to cry or got emotional, we said we had ‘tears in our eyes.’ Now I am the one with tears in my eyes,” said the German, who described his demo drive as a “very emotional day.”
“Beautiful to feel how alive Michael’s spirit is”
Vettel completed several laps in Schumacher’s 2002 Ferrari in Monza, thrilling the stands not least with spectacular donuts. “It’s incredible,” said the four-time world champion with a broad grin. “Thank you for this opportunity and thanks to the Tifosi.”
“You don’t need many laps to feel the soul of a car; you immediately realize that it is something special – it practically screams: ‘Go, go, go!’ I was here and did a few donuts at the second chicane, and the people were thrilled.”
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Photo gallery: All Michael Schumacher Formula 1 cars
“I was constantly torn,” added Vettel. “On the one hand, I wanted to push the car to the limit, on the other hand, I wanted to enjoy and savor the moment. But it was simply beautiful to feel how alive Michael’s spirit and Ferrari’s spirit still are here.”
“I experienced that myself years ago,” recalled the German with regard to his Formula 1 debut win with Toro Rosso in the 2008 season as well as two other Monza wins with Red Bull in 2011 and 2013. A Ferrari win in the Temple of Speed eluded Vettel, but he at least stood on the podium.
Vettel on Schumacher: “We send him all our love”
“My career was of course full of wonderful moments,” said the four-time world champion. “I am a bit spoiled in that regard, but today is something very special. It felt like I had already won the race before it even started.”
“Michael is a timeless winner for this team, for the people here, for the Tifosi. I believe the fathers and mothers will pass this legacy on to the next generation, and they will pass it on to the generation after that.”
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“My heart is beating, and I am very proud – and I miss Michael,” concluded Vettel with an emotional message to his former childhood idol. “Today the moment belongs to Michael, and we send him all our love and our feelings.”
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