Vettel: "Alonso did something I thought was impossible"

F1 News

18 August 2021 at 15:59
Last update 18 August 2021 at 16:19
  • GPblog.com

For a long time, it was suspected that Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel didn't really get along and would never be the best of friends. Vettel even admitted in front of the cameras once that he thought Alonso didn't like him, something that the Spaniard has always denied. Still, a lot of fierce battles on track and overheated board radios between the two made it appear that Vettel might be right.

Fernando and Seb bromance

But now there is no doubt at all. Now both drivers are older and wiser they only have respect for each other. Vettel says to Marca: "I like racing against him. In the first race this year, when Fernando came back, we had a wheel-to-wheel fight and I was smiling in the cockpit because I'm looking forward to more this year and I think we've had a few already. I think I always enjoyed fighting with Fernando."

Vettel even admits to being a fan of Alonso from a young age: "During the race at the Hungaroring in 2003 I was sitting in front of the TV and I remember watching him. I think his talent is unquestionable, his skills on the track are some of the greatest the sport has ever seen."

Schumacher beaten

"Alonso did something I thought was impossible to do," says the Aston Martin driver, "namely beat Schumacher. When I was growing up Michael was the best, the number one, and it seemed impossible to beat him. Fernando started beating him, so I think it was a great achievement. And of course, he's had a long career and in many different cars, so I consider it a pleasure to race alongside him and compete against him on the track."