Sebastian Vettel has undeniably been one of the greatest supporters of Lewis Hamilton, often standing by the seven-time world champion in critical moments on and off the track. For instance, the former Red Bull world champion was one of the first ones to take a knee alongside Hamilton in 2020 when the protests were rocking the entire world.
The very same year, Vettel also ended up being the first driver to congratulate Hamilton on the record-equaling world championship victory at the Turkish Grand Prix. The two arch-rivals engaged in a rather prolonged conversation before walking into the pit building for the podium ceremony.
2020 Turkish GP: @LewisHamilton celebrates winning his seventh world title 🏆
2021 Turkish GP: ❓ 👀 ❔#TurkishGP 🇹🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/hOd2FTAfMD
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2021
Having embraced such an amazing bromance, the Mercedes superstar even acknowledged Vettel as “a legend” of Formula 1 amidst the four-time world champion’s impending retirement in 2022. Now, almost a year since Vettel walked off the sport, Hamilton made a shocking revelation about a handful of racing teams.
Turns out, Vettel had told him that many teams were making racial remarks about the Briton. Consequently, a rather displeased Hamilton claimed that people lack empathy unlike his close friend and racing legend, Sebastian Vettel.
Lewis Hamilton cherishes ‘brave’ Sebastian Vettel’s support in the race for equality
As reported by AS, Hamilton hailed Vettel as the ‘bravest’ Formula 1 driver ever and lauded his support over the years in sensitive matters. “We have to get people to empathize, we need empathy. Sometimes I wonder, does anyone else care?” Hamilton wondered during an F1 program broadcasted by DAZN.
“Sebastian (Vettel) was one of those who supported me the most. He told me that some teams were talking racist things about me. He got down on one knee with me in 2020, I have yet to see a driver as brave as him. Laws must be changed so that people live better. We are risking our lives to try to educate others,” the knighted British F1 driver concluded.
Vettel took the knee alongside Hamilton 🖤
While wearing a t-shirt signed by the women he organised a karting event for in Saudi Arabia 👏
Which also had a rainbow drawn on 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/SDYxIu5kyy
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) December 6, 2021
While there were a handful of heart-in-the-mouth moments during the years of the Hamilton-Vettel rivalry, their camaraderie hardly ever took a hit. A similar story is starting to build around the Briton and his greatest rival, Fernando Alonso. Despite the ugly McLaren warfare in 2008, the possible dents in their relationship are starting to heal.
Furthermore, Hamilton even conceded his openness to race alongside the Renault world champion should the “stars align” in the near future. Hence, amidst the evolving friendship between the senior trio, can Hamilton, Vettel, and Alonso join forces to prevent racism from engulfing Formula 1?