Sebastian Vettel has shared a nostalgic photograph with Michael Schumacher on Instagram, prompting an emotional response from Formula 1 fans. The image, posted by the recently retired four-time world champion, shows a young Vettel in his karting days with Schumacher crouched beside him.
The post quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 350,000 likes within a day. Vettel captioned the photo: “Receiving last Orders (NRW Cup Final, Kerpen, Germany).” Kerpen holds significance as the location where Schumacher first developed his passion for racing, mirroring Vettel’s own early career.
Fans flooded the comments section with heartfelt messages. One user wrote: “A second father to Seb! We miss you, Mr. Schumacher.” Another commented: “who’s cutting onions man,” while a third added: “Brb (be right back) gonna cry.” Many called for more content featuring the German duo.
Schumacher, a seven-time world champion, has remained out of the public eye since a skiing accident in 2013 left him with a brain injury. His son Mick, who raced for Haas in Formula 1, now serves as a reserve driver for Mercedes. Vettel, who retired at the end of the 2022 season, has often credited Schumacher as a mentor throughout his career.
