In a poignant revelation, Sebastian Vettel opens up about his last conversation with Michael Schumacher, just before the Formula 1 icon’s fateful skiing accident a decade ago. The two German drivers, who shared a strong professional bond from 2010 to 2012, had not only conquered the Formula 1 grid but also clinched six consecutive Race of Champions Nations’ Cups from 2007 to 2012.
Beyond their racing careers, the duo delved into personal matters, with Vettel noting that racing was no longer their sole common ground. However, tragedy struck on December 29, 2013, when Schumacher suffered a horrific skiing accident in the French Alps.
Despite the Schumacher family’s efforts to safeguard the seven-time World Champion’s privacy, the F1 legend, now 54, has not been seen in public since the incident, focusing on his ongoing recovery.
Speaking to RTL, Vettel expressed the ongoing difficulty of accepting Schumacher’s ongoing struggle, emphasizing how often the topic crosses his mind. The four-time F1 title winner disclosed that their final conversation revolved around personal matters, including Vettel’s impending fatherhood.
Vettel shared, “I just miss my friend,” highlighting the strengthened bond they had developed before the accident, transcending their shared passion for racing.
‘Of course, the first thoughts immediately went to the last conversation we had together and that couldn’t be more positive. I told him that I was going to be a father and what was coming for us.
‘And I think I really appreciated it towards the end in that sense, where our relationship became stronger and stronger before the accident.
‘Because I think we both got to know each other more and more and racing was no longer the biggest thing we had in common, but life in general and life with and around racing.
‘And I just miss my friend.’
Acknowledging the profound impact Schumacher had on his life, Vettel revealed that Schumacher would have been “extremely important” in recent years, providing guidance and inspiration. However, he recognized the heightened difficulty faced by Schumacher’s family.
Ralf Schumacher, Michael’s brother, shed light on the advancements in modern medicine that have enabled the seven-time F1 champion to achieve things previously deemed impossible.
Damon Hill, Schumacher’s former F1 rival, marked the 10th anniversary by describing the German’s plight as a “terrible tragedy” and emphasized the importance of treasuring each day.
In the F1 arena, Lewis Hamilton has since equaled Schumacher’s seven titles, amassing 103 race wins to surpass the F1 legend’s 91. Meanwhile, Vettel retired from F1 last year after securing four World Championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013.
As the F1 landscape evolves, current Red Bull driver Max Verstappen clinched his third consecutive F1 title earlier this year, with high expectations for further success in 2024.
