Sebastian Vettel is one of the few people that’s made F1 feel less lonely: Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has commented on Sebastian Vettel’s retirement from the sport, saying that the German driver was one of the few people who made Formula One feel less lonely for him.

Vettel announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday. The four-time World Champion made an Instagram account and posted a video to explain the reason behind his exit from F1 at the end of the current campaign. Vettel said that he wanted to spend time with his family and pursue his other interests off the track.

The German driver and Hamilton have been vocal about many controversial and social issues together in F1. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the British driver said that Vettel was one of the people who made the sport a better place for him.

Hamilton called the former World Champion one of the greatest people in the sport and expressed his sadness in losing an ally from the grid.

“When I talk about the journey that I’ve felt I’ve experienced in this sport and often feeling that it’s been relatively lonely, he’s one of the few people that’s made it not feel lonely. He stood by me through a lot of things.”

“I always remember 2007, a press conference in Magny-Cours and him being very outspoken in a drivers’ briefing and I knew then he would be a powerful figure in the sport. Then seeing his success and seeing that he puts others before himself… he’s been so brave in speaking out and standing for what he believes in.”

“I think he’s one of the greatest people we’ve seen in this sport and we need more like him. Sad because I’ve lost an ally in this side of the sport on the grid, but I know that outside he will be doing great things and we will always remain friends and I hope there are other things we get to do together outside,” said Hamilton.

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