Vettel emotional over Schumacher: 'I just miss my friend'

Sebastian Vettel has spoken about how much he "misses" his friend Michael Schumacher, after the 54 year-old was caught up in a skiing accident 10 years ago.

Both drivers raced on track with each other between 2010 and 2012, with Vettel taking three titles during that period with Red Bull. They were also regulars at the annual Race of Champions, where they would compete under the 'Team Germany' banner.

Following the tragic skiing accident in December 2013, Schumacher has not been seen in public life ever since. Vettel recalls the last conversation he had with his friend and former mentor.

"The first thoughts were, of course, at the last joint conversation we had," recalls Vettel when speaking to German outlet RTL.

"I told him that I will be a father and what is in store for us."

Vettel had a tough spell through his latter years at Ferrari and final two seasons at Aston Martin, believing advice from the seven-time World Champion would have been invaluable.

"I just miss my friend. In recent years, he would have been so important. I would have had so many questions and he could certainly have given so many answers or inspirations," said Vettel.

Vettel: It's still very difficult to accept

Vettel was one of the main supporters of Mick Schumacher, Micheal's son, when he came into F1 in 2021 and played a father-figure role while he got to grips as a rookie.

"Mick was a teenager at the time. I think that's a completely different dimension when the father has an accident and then breaks away in this respect," said Vettel.

Much of the information on Schumacher's condition has been kept private by the family, with rare small snippets released over the last 10 years.

"It is still very, very difficult to accept, I don't want to accept, but to accept that he continues to fight and he is not well. Of course, I only wish him the best," said Vettel.

"It is still very often a topic and I sometimes think about it quietly, sometimes a lot about it."