Sebastian Vettel makes Ferrari return in emotional outing

Sebastian Vettel made a special one-off return to Ferrari in the build-up to the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The four-time champion retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season following two years with Aston Martin.

While the bulk of Vettel's F1 success came with Red Bull in the early 2010s, his move to Ferrari in 2015 brought 14 grand prix wins and 55 podiums - placing him among the most successful drivers to compete for the Italian squad.

Ferrari has spent the Italian Grand Prix weekend celebrating Michael Schumacher and his legacy with the team.

Schumacher's long-time team-mate Rubens Barrichello took the F2002 out onto the Monza track on Saturday before Vettel jumped behind the wheel on Sunday.

The 39-year-old drove several laps of the circuit at which he took his first F1 victory in 2008 and even completed some doughnuts for the fans to enjoy.

“I'm mixed up in feelings,” Vettel said after jumping out of the car. “On the one hand, it's such a beautiful car to drive, such a beautiful piece of machinery.

“But much more, it's Michael's car. He's not here today, but I felt him a lot in those laps and I hope you heard and felt him as well.

“We used to joke about when one of us started to cry and get emotional that you have some peepee in your eyes - I'm now the one with peepee in my eyes.

“Thank you for the opportunity, thanks to the Tifosi. I love racing, I know I quit racing but in my heart, I'm still a lover.

“I deeply care for this sport, for these cars, for these people, for the fans that make this sport so special. That's why I see a real power to propel it forward and inspire the future.

“I look forward to what's coming but today is Michael's moment, and we send all of our love and emotions.”

The F2002 is one of the most dominant cars in F1 history, with Schumacher ending every race during that campaign on the podium.

Describing how the car itself felt, Vettel said: “It's so exciting. It doesn't take many laps to sense the soul of a car, and you sense immediately that it was a special car.

“It was just screaming at you, 'Go, Go, Go!' I was doing some doughnuts here, people were excited. I was torn between wanting to push the car and enjoy the moment and make it last.

“It's been absolutely beautiful. To feel how alive Michael's spirit is, and how alive Ferrari's spirit is around here, I experienced it myself years ago, there are bits that I miss.

“It's a different life, and looking after the next generation of drivers is a great opportunity ahead.”