In the round-up: Charles Leclerc said an emotional farewell to Sebastian Vettel, who he said he had “really, really enjoyed” having as a team mate despite feeling intimidated at first.
What they say
Speaking alongside his team mate after their last race together in Abu Dhabi, Leclerc said that despite difficulties during their time as team mates (including several on-track clashes) he had been overwhelmed by the warm welcome given to him at Ferrari by four-times world champion Vettel:
Seb knows about what I think about our relationship. Surely, we’ve had our moments, we’ve had very good moments on track, also ones that were less good.
So thank you for being who you are, the way you welcomed me to the team when I arrived. It was not easy having you as a team mate, too. I think you know how intimidating it was sitting next to a four-time world champion when I arrived at Ferrari.
You welcomed me in the best way possible and I really, really enjoyed being your team mate for two years. And I just wish you the best for the future.
Quotes: Dieter Rencken
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
After nearly 12 years we will work together again, mate. Thank You Christian Horner for this great opportunity.
Helmut Marko, I’m very happy and thankful for the confidence placed in me, I’m going to work very hard to help this team to bring one more Championship #givesyouwings👐 pic.twitter.com/j2cJarBLon— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) December 19, 2020
Links
More motor racing links of interest:
Long Beach event shifts to September 2021 date (IndyCar)
“The 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 26 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, officials from IndyCar announced today. Long Beach is one of the foundational events on the IndyCar schedule and one of the longest running.”
Nannini switches to HWA for 2021 (Formula 3)
” I am very happy with my first year in Formula 3. I worked very hard and improved from race to race.”
Montoya and Beganovic star in Euroformula and FREC test at Barcelona (Formula Scout)
“Drivex School had Ayrton Simmons and Nico Pino throughout, and were visited by Fernando Alonso, while Motopark had six cars out via its main team and its CryptoTower Racing Team offshoot.”
Jamie Chadwick: ‘I want to enjoy my racing and be fighting at the front’ (Fast and Fealess)
“Prema are the team to be with, so what I learnt through them was huge, but sadly we couldn’t quite get the results. I feel like I’ve let myself and a lot of people down and there’s a lot of factors that go into that, but ultimately, I need to make sure they don’t affect next year.”
Australian motor-sports heroes under-appreciated, says Doohan (The Age)
“Sure, F1 star Daniel Ricciardo is a high-profile figure, but his main public exposure comes for four days a year, when the Australian Grand Prix is run in Melbourne. How many casual sports fans know of Jack Miller or Oscar Piastri, for example?”
FCA Boss Mike Manley To Be Ferrari’s New CEO? (Carbuzz)
“If Manley is appointed as Ferrari’s new CEO, it’s unclear if he will continue his role as FCA’s CEO but a decision is expected to be made at a Ferrari board meeting next week.”
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On this day in F1
- Born on this day in 1968: Karl Wendlinger, who was part of Mercedes’ junior sports car team alongside Michael Schumacher, graduated to F1, but was badly injured in a crash at Monaco in 1994
