Sebastian Vettel ended his Formula 1 career in 2022 after 16 years. Image: Zuma Press / Beata Zawrzel
Formula 1
Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull: this duo stood for unbelievable success in Formula 1 for years. In 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the 35-year-old was world champion with the team four times in a row. The team also won the Constructors’ title over the years.
Always by his side: Christian Horner. The team boss has been with Red Bull since 2005 and brought Vettel in 2009 from sister team Toro Rosso. He was an important factor in the four world titles.
Now the team boss has spoken in the “Talking Bull Podcast” about working with the German.
Red-Bull-Teamchef Christian HornerImage: AP / Darko Bandic
Formula 1: Vettel habit after victories “annoying”
Vettel, who wasn’t the crowd’s favorite at the beginning as he was at the end of his career, initially had a hard time with the fans, Horner recalls. “It all had to develop with him over time.”
Because the big problem was his behavior after race wins. “Sebastian would always win, get out of the car and put his finger in your face, he had this really annoying habit of always pointing that one finger,” explains Horner.
Sebastian Vettel shows his infamous finger after his first world title in 2010. Image: dpa / Jens Büttner
And that moment was really common. In 299 Formula 1 races, Vettel has finished first 53 times. “It’s easy to lose popularity as a serial winner anyway,” concludes Horner.
Formula 1: Vettel’s character and values made him popular
But Vettel was also a “very private person” in day-to-day work, says Horner. “He didn’t reveal anything personally about his feelings and never let people see who he really was.”
During his 16 years in the premier class of motorsport, Vettel would also have developed and opened up to say what he thinks.
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In recent years, many fans have been particularly impressed by his commitment to climate and environmental protection. Two years ago, after the race in Silverstone, he collected rubbish in the stands, always wore T-shirts that drew attention to environmental problems in the respective country and also sided with Lewis Hamilton in the Black Lives Matter -Movement.
In recent years he has repeatedly questioned his role as a racing driver and how this can be combined with environmental protection. “Of course, when I get out of the car, I also think: Is that something we should be doing – traveling the world and wasting resources?‘ he said in an interview with the BBC in May.
According to Horner, the fact that he expressed himself so openly and directly would have contributed enormously to his popularity.
“People saw his character and his values and they liked that, so towards the end of his career he became very popular.”
