Sebastian Vettel on Michael Schumacher: “I miss his advice”. Seb was interviewed by Corriere della Sera.

The four-time world champion and current Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel idolised Michael Schumacher growing up before he was able to race him when the legend came out of retirement back in 2010. The two Germans also joined up as Team Germany at the exhibition series Race of Champions (ROC) – winning the team-cup six years in a row from 2007 to 2012. Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public since his horror skiing accident in 2013 which left him in a coma after a crash on the Alps.

And now Sebastian Vettel has opened up about the legendary driver. The 30-year-old German racer told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera: “I have seen the tribute show for Michael Schumacher. I got goose bumps and my eyes welled up. Michael was my childhood idol and will always be my idol.” The pair first met when Sebastian Vettel was a child and starting out on the go-karting scene while Michael Schumacher was already a world champion in F1. The four-time Formula One world champions, once dubbed the “New Schumacher”, admitted that he missed the racing legend’s guidance:

“I miss his advice, it was perfect.” – he added in the moving interview, as reported on Tuesday by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera – “It could be adapted to any situation, and it would work. He will always be the number one. I remember when I met him for the first time, I could not open my mouth, I was so tense. Over time I got to know the person who is not just a race driver, he’s been working hard to bring Ferrari to the top. Incredible. He is one of the few people you meet in life, who have an answer for everything.” – Sebastian Vettel added.

Michael Schumacher made a shock Formula One comeback for the 2010 season, joining new team Mercedes GP before going back into retirement at the end of 2012 championship. The health condition of the Scuderia Ferrari legend remains a mystery, with no confirmed updates about his health as his management say it is “not a public matter”. Citing Bravo, broadcaster Eurosport claimed that his wife Corinna has “decided to try new care” in Texas, where his family owns a cattle ranch.

Scuderia Ferrari German driver Sebastian Vettel trails Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton by 34 points ahead of the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix, with just five races left of the 2017 Formula One season.