Four-time F1 world champion Vettel announced ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix that he would retire at the end of the 2022 season, ending his 15-year tenure on the grid.
Along with Hamilton, Vettel has been a leading voice for issues outside of F1 in recent years, placing particular emphasis on the climate crisis and environmental issues currently facing the world, as well as issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and anti-racism activism.
Hamilton hoped Vettel’s efforts to speak out in recent years would help inspire the next generation of drivers to use their public position in F1 in the same way.
“At the end of the day, I think in general we often stand on the shoulders of the greats of the past, whether in this sport or in other sports,” Hamilton said.
“I really hope it inspires the next generation. Whether it’s this one or the younger generation that comes through, to be more confident in using their platform, realizing that it’s not about just them and their car.
“It’s something much, much bigger than being here. I really hope we see more people like him.
“But, I can’t guarantee it, because I think it’s rare.”
Sebastien Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Vettel has been director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association since 2010, serving as a key figure in discussing F1 safety standards and speaking on behalf of the drivers.
A number of his peers have expressed hope that Vettel will continue in the role even after his racing career is over.
Hamilton said he was unsure what Vettel had planned for life after F1, but was confident the German was “going to be great, if he applied himself like he did here with the bravery and sheer determination he had.”
When Vettel retires, the only remaining drivers on the grid who raced 10 years ago will be Hamilton, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Alpine racer Fernando Alonso.
Despite the grid rejuvenation, Hamilton rejected the suggestion that F1 would be worse when the established guard and experienced world champions like him and Alonso were no longer racing.
“We hope our work will take him to a better place,” Hamilton said.
“That’s the job I’ve tried to do, what Seb has tried to do here, really lighting the fire of sparkling conversations, to leave the place a better sport than it was when we we found it.
“I think Seb definitely had a huge role to play in that and there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“I don’t know if Seb is going to do more work, continue the background work with the sport or not. I doubt he’ll come back and comment, but you can never say never!”
“But, yeah, I hope it’s in a better place. It would have been a terrible waste of time otherwise.”
Four-time F1 world champion Vettel announced ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix that he would retire at the end of the 2022 season, ending his 15-year tenure on the grid.
Along with Hamilton, Vettel has been a leading voice for issues outside of F1 in recent years, placing particular emphasis on the climate crisis and environmental issues currently facing the world, as well as issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and anti-racism activism.
Hamilton hoped Vettel’s efforts to speak out in recent years would help inspire the next generation of drivers to use their public position in F1 in the same way.
“At the end of the day, I think in general we often stand on the shoulders of the greats of the past, whether in this sport or in other sports,” Hamilton said.
“I really hope it inspires the next generation. Whether it’s this one or the younger generation that comes through, to be more confident in using their platform, realizing that it’s not about just them and their car.
“It’s something much, much bigger than being here. I really hope we see more people like him.
“But, I can’t guarantee it, because I think it’s rare.”
Sebastien Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Vettel has been director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association since 2010, serving as a key figure in discussing F1 safety standards and speaking on behalf of the drivers.
A number of his peers have expressed hope that Vettel will continue in the role even after his racing career is over.
Hamilton said he was unsure what Vettel had planned for life after F1, but was confident the German was “going to be great, if he applied himself like he did here with the bravery and sheer determination he had.”
When Vettel retires, the only remaining drivers on the grid who raced 10 years ago will be Hamilton, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Alpine racer Fernando Alonso.
Despite the grid rejuvenation, Hamilton rejected the suggestion that F1 would be worse when the established guard and experienced world champions like him and Alonso were no longer racing.
“We hope our work will take him to a better place,” Hamilton said.
“That’s the job I’ve tried to do, what Seb has tried to do here, really lighting the fire of sparkling conversations, to leave the place a better sport than it was when we we found it.
“I think Seb definitely had a huge role to play in that and there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“I don’t know if Seb is going to do more work, continue the background work with the sport or not. I doubt he’ll come back and comment, but you can never say never!”
“But, yeah, I hope it’s in a better place. It would have been a terrible waste of time otherwise.”