When the Only Way Michael Schumacher Could Defeat Sebastian Vettel Was via a Buggy

When the Only Way Michael Schumacher Could Defeat Sebastian Vettel Was via a Buggy
IMAGO / Thomas Melzer

When Michael Schumacher came out of retirement in 2010, his primary aim was to help a newly formed Mercedes find its feet in F1. Defeating a dominant Red Bull team was not Mercedes’ aim, and there was no way Schumacher could get the better of Sebastian Vettel on the track. Unable to overtake Vettel during a Grand Prix race, Schumacher joked about out-pacing the Red Bull driver on a different mode of transport.

Ahead of the 2011 Canadian GP, the drivers took to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve track to get a feel of the surface, as is tradition. Championship leader Sebastian Vettel opted to go around the track with his team on foot but Schumacher chose to ride a buggy. Schumacher, who knew he could never defeat his young compatriot on the track, went ahead of him and said, 

“At least I can overtake you once this weekend.”

A humored Vettel shook Vettel’s hand and replied,

“Let’s keep it that way.”

Vettel and Schumacher shared a brief time in the paddock together and were on opposing teams throughout. Still, they share a close friendship, largely due to Vettel idolizing the seven-time world champion and the latter playing a significant role in mentoring him on his journey to becoming an F1 driver.

Even outside of F1, the German drivers hung out with each other. Their families would even meet up for vacations and dinners, allowing their bond to grow stronger. As such, when news of Schumacher’s tragic accident in 2013 broke out, Vettel was heartbroken, especially because of their final conversation before.

Sebastian Vettel’s emotional conversation with Schumacher

Since suffering a near-fatal accident while skiing in France in 2013, Schumacher has been under intense care and hasn’t made a public appearance. Speaking to a German channel (quoted by Mirror), Vettel admitted it was difficult for him to see what Schumacher went through.

Vettel revealed what his last conversation with the former Ferrari driver was about. It was particularly emotional because Vettel shared huge news about his personal life with his mentor and idol.

“The first thoughts immediately went to the last conversation we had together, and that couldn’t be more positive. I told him that I was going to be a father and what was coming for us.”

In hindsight, the former Red Bull driver feels happy that he was able to share the news with Schumacher. Getting to know each other more and more before the accident, Vettel claimed they understood they had more in common than just racing. However, with life in general revolving around the racing realm, Vettel continues to miss his friend.

Related Posts

SHOCK HEALTH BOMBSHELL! DAME EMMA THOMPSON DEMANDS ‘SEX ON THE NHS’ – SPARKS FURIOUS NATIONAL DEBATE!

London, UK – Oscar-winning acting legend Dame Emma Thompson has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a sensational call for sex to be officially available on the…

Red Bull’s second seat is under fire — again. But now, all eyes are on a name no one expected: Sebastian Vettel. What secret conversations are happening behind closed doors, and could the legend’s return shake the entire F1 grid? Here’s what we know — and what’s still in the dark.

Photo: © IMAGO No, before you ask, Sebastian Vettel is not plotting an F1 return to drive for Red Bull. Instead, he could take on a role altogether more…

No More Second Chances — If Kimi Antonelli Wants to Beat Lance Stroll’s Record, It Has to Happen Now. The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix May Decide Everything About His Future, His Legacy, and Whether He’ll Be Remembered as a Star or Just Another Name in the Stats.

The Austrian Grand Prix has been the scene of controversy over the years, largely due to the nature of the circuit and how it promotes racing. Drivers…

Nelson Piquet Jr believes Cadillac would be making a huge mistake by choosing Bottas over Perez — and he reveals the behind-the-scenes factors that make Perez the smarter, faster, and more strategic option for the 2025 season.

Cadillac are going to be Formula 1’s 11th team in the 2026 season and there are now questions over who might be in their driver lineup. For…

After a crucial decision on driver line-ups, Valtteri Bottas is suddenly closer than ever to securing a spot with Cadillac in Formula 1. Fans and experts alike are eager to see how this will impact the competitive landscape. Could this be the turning point in Bottas’ racing career?

Valtteri Bottas is beginning to make his case that he should be back on the Formula 1 grid next season. Sauber decided against extending Valtteri Bottas’ contract last year…

The FIA’s discovery of McLaren’s secret tire trick triggered a shocking controversy that has left fans and experts questioning everything they thought they knew about racing strategies, fair play, and the limits of innovation within the sport’s highest level.

McLaren’s Hidden Weapon: How the MCL39 Revolutionized F1 Suspension and Shook the Grid in 2025 In a world obsessed with outright speed and headline-grabbing upgrades, McLaren quietly…