Today I will tell you a magnificent story that tells the deeds of a small child with a golden helmet, who with passion and dedication, has become the driver of the most historic Formula 1 team. It is the story of Sebastian Vettel, made of climbs, sweat, tears, joys, victories, emotions and dreams. A story, however, destined to end. After 4 world championships and having collected numerous records, entering with merit in the history of Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel has decided to embark on a new adventure. A choice that many considered risky but you know, the heart can't be controlled. So he proposed to Ferrari and, even before signing a contract, he started studying Italian and learning about the team's history. For Sebastian was a dream. The dream of a small Heppenheim child who watched his myth run in a red car. The dream of a child who raced on karts and that one day he would have liked to drive a Formula 1 car, the same as his idol Michael Schumacher. Vettel landed in Ferrari with the aim of realizing the dream in the drawer that over time has fueled: becoming World Champion with the Red.
VETTEL: A RED LIGHTNING THAT HAS BROUGHT BACK HOPE At the second race of the season, in Malaysia, he brought Ferrari back to the top step of the podium after almost two years of fasting. Everything seemed possible at the time.History seemed to repeat itself. A young and talented German with a big heart who fought to rebuild a team that had lost its sparkle, bringing it back to glory.
Unfortunately, however, the story has not been repeated and that dre
am, in which Seb had hoped so much, has not yet come true. Six years, 14 wins, 12 pole positions, 54 podiums and 23 fastest laps, but that's not all. His history at Ferrari cannot be reduced to a few simple numbers. I think rather we should rethink the passion, emotions and snapshots that he has given us. Sebastian was a red lightning bolt that swept the clouds away to bring the calm. Since 2015 he has been the spark that has rekindled the World Championship dream in all Ferrari fans. He arrived with the hope of emulating Michael Schumacher and he leaves with the awareness of having fought until to the end, just like him. He was welcomed into Ferrari by general skepticism and he goes away in the tears of the real fans who have won his heart.
A JOURNEY MADE OF EMOTIONS AND SNAPSHOTS Looking back on Sebastian Vettel's journey with Ferrari, I am immediately reminded of his first helmet dedicated to the Italian team. It was completely white and had a red writing: "29.11.14 My first day in Ferrari". A simple phrase dedicated to the dream for which he had worked so hard, making his way among the big names in Formula 1, to get to the team to which his heart has always belonged. I am reminded of the sweet tears shed in Malaysia in 2015, the fireworks in Singapore and the steering wheel raised to the sky in Monaco in 2017. I remember the tires consumed in Bahrain, the wrong steering wheel in Hungary and the anger after the penalty of Canada. But also his most beautiful overtakes, the sweaty and reasoned ones. I remember the Cavallino flags and the tricolor waved with pride, the hugs with the mechanics and Sebastian who on the top step of the podium directs the choir of fans who sing the Italian anthem. And how to forget his emotion on the Milan stage listening to the choirs that incited him to the sound of "Sebastian one of us" "Stay with us" and "Win for us".
I remember the Egyptian dance and the clenched fist that struck the Ferrari emblem on the heart. How can we forget his team radios and his maxims ?! "Blue flags" "A casa loro" "Mi senti ?! Mi senti?! Oh "" What are we doing here, racing or ping ping? ". The echo of the "Forza Ferrari" scream still echoes. And the Italian songs on the team radio or sung at the top of your lungs before taking a flight ?! I remember Sebastian kneeling on the podium in Monza under a delirious red tide.I remember the victories and the defeats. Sweet and bitter moments, some more than others. Because yes, perhaps it was not a perfect journey but it was a real journey lived from the beginning to the end with the courage to believe in a dream, always, despite everything and everyone.
GRAZIE SEB After the many shouted "Grazie Ragazzi" our time has come to say "Grazie Seb". Thank you
for choosing us, for the hard work you have done and for enduring the hard work without ever ceasing to smile. Thank you for always giving your best and for trying every year until the last corner, until the last finish. For the attention you have always paid to our team, for taking care of it and for always defending it. Thanks for not being just a driver but a real leader.
Thanks for the wins, the overtakes and the magic. For keeping us glued to the TV with bated breath for all these years. For the emotions that you made us live and for being excited with us. Thank you for allowing us to listen again to the Italian anthem preceded by the German one and for showing every day that you are the first Ferrari driver. But above all, thank you Seb because with you we have returned to hope and dream again.
FOREVER PART OF FERRARI HISTORY Someone says "The drivers come and go, Ferrari stays" but I don't think that's completely true. Ferrari remains, but also every single driver who, regardless of the results obtained, has contributed to making our team so special. And Sebastian Vettel left a lot to the team and to all the Ferrari fans who supported him in this race. Ferrari would be nothing without the drivers who helped the team to become a legend all over the world. Michael said: "You are not a true champion until you win with Ferrari" and you, Seb, have won. You may not be able to become World Champion with the Red one, but you have won with the love and respect of all the fans around the world. You have won since the day you chose us and you have chosen to follow your dream. You are a champion, and not because you won with Ferrari, but because you fought and believed in it even when nobody did it anymore. You are a champion for the talent and determination that characterize you. You are our most courageous and fair fight.
You will no longer race in your beloved red suit but we will continue to search for your name among the drivers and to see your maneuvers on the track thinking back to all the magic you have given us. They say that when a dream ends, one must be able to build another. I wish you this Seb, to find the strength to build new dreams and the will to keep running. We wish you the best because you are a driver, but above all an exceptional man. We have one last strange and complex year together, hoping to see you raise your index finger to heaven for the last time. You will still find us there, to celebrate with you. At the beginning of your trip you wrote to us: "Dear Fans, Ferrari has always been my dream. Ferrari is a legend also thanks to you and your passion. I am proud to be part of this incredible story. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live this adventure with you". You must know that it was an honor and a privilege to have you with us, you made us proud of you. You have been, you are and you will always be a Ferrari driver.
Author: Sebforever587
Photo: credits to the owners
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