At Imola, Sebastian Vettel is set to drive Ayrton Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8.
Sebastian Vettel is set to drive at the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, taking the wheel of an Ayrton Senna McLaren at Imola.
In a little over two weeks, the German driver will assume control of Senna’s McLaren MP4/8, while also honoring the late Brazilian as a four-time World Champion.
Sebastian Vettel to drive Ayrton Senna McLaren at Imola
On May 1, F1 made the announcement, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Senna’s tragic accident at Imola in 1994. It was confirmed that Vettel would be honoring the memory of the legendary three-time F1 World Champion.
In order to pay homage to the Brazilian champion, Vettel will be present at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix held in Imola from May 17 to 19. This comes after Vettel’s recent launch of his own Senna range of merchandise.
Vettel is set to drive the MP4/8, McLaren’s car from the 1993 championship. This was the same car that Senna drove during his final season with McLaren before he tragically moved to Williams the next year.
According to Vettel, Ayrton Senna was not just an exceptional racer who I greatly esteemed as one of the finest in the history of motorsports, but also a person of tremendous empathy.
I would like to honor Ayrton as it has been three decades since his accident.
I will be present at the grand prix in Imola to pilot the McLaren MP4/8. I look forward to catching up with you on Sunday, May 19th.
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Vettel has been grabbing attention lately for his own achievements, as he decided to retire from F1 after the 2022 season came to an end.
After a successful test with Porsche’s WEC car at Aragon in Spain, he has been associated with a potential comeback to the sport. He openly acknowledged that a return to F1 could hold some allure for him.
During his interview on Radio X’s The Chris Moyles Show, he expressed that a superior car enhances the team’s performance and amplifies the exhilaration by offering greater chances of success.
“I keep up with the sport, observing the current happenings. While it may appear alluring and captivating, its overall appeal truly hinges on the complete package.”
Due to the numerous obligations and distractions beyond just driving, it becomes a significant commitment.
In order to give it serious consideration, I believe that the decision would primarily depend on the package being offered.
Vettel expressed that despite the continued presence and signings of experienced drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, he still feels relatively young compared to the peers he grew up with, who are staying in the sport and securing lucrative contracts for extended periods of time.
“I believe there’s a possibility of me continuing in the sport for another decade!”
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