An emotional Sebastian Vettel has paid tribute to hero Michael Schumacher after winning his first race for Ferrari in only his second outing for the team.
Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 to replace the outgoing Fernando Alonso and after one of their worst seasons in recent times in 2014, no-one expected Vettel and Ferrari to be challenging for victories so soon.
The quadruple world champion started second on the grid behind world champion Lewis Hamilton but thanks to strong tire saving, Ferrari’s two-stop strategy played into the hands of Vettel as he claimed his first victory since Brazil 2013.
Vettel described racing for Ferrari as a dream.
“It’s my dream. When I grew up, Michael was my hero and for all of us – and I speak for all of the kids at the go-kart track at the time in Germany – we were looking up to him and when he turned up every year and to look after us a little bit, it made our lives,” Vettel said.
“So, that’s why I think today… I probably don’t understand yet how special it is. Very, very emotional. To see the guys there, and to realise at the parade lap, I really tried to soak everything in, enjoy the fans here around Malaysia and, yeah, I recognised obviously for the first time, all the Ferrari flags.
“So really, really happy and just proud. Especially proud to beat these guys because they have been phenomenally strong the last year and a bit, so to be the first one to beat them really fair and square, I think is an incredible achievement, so big thanks to all the guys back in Maranello.”
Vettel came to Ferrari from Red Bull with who he won all four of his world titles with but says being with Ferrari is like a dream come true.
“Obviously it’s a big change but the team has been phenomenal, welcoming me the first day,” the German said. “I remember when the gate opened in Maranello it was like a dream coming true.
“I remember the last time I was there was as a young kid watching Michael over the fence driving around in the Ferrari and now I’m driving that very red car. It’s incredible.
“The day today, the race, really spot on, the whole team was there, great strategy, great pace, we beat them fair and square, so thanks to the team, thanks to all the team in Maranello, really, really great day.”
Image Courtesy Of Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team
