Records are not just broken; they are rewritten, and as Max Verstappen sets the F1 world alight, one man’s support comes from an unexpected corner: former Red Bull and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel. This isn’t just any support but an endorsement that goes against the fervor of Italy’s Tifosi on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix, a podium where Vettel has tasted champagne in the iconic scarlet red of Ferrari. Vettel’s wholesome commitment to Verstappen’s meteoric rise ignores the pull of his storied Ferrari history, he has made a wholesome commitment to see Verstappen continue his record-breaking spree.

Sebastian Vettel, a name synonymous with Red Bull Racing’s glory years, found a second home with Ferrari from 2015 to 2020. The German driver’s impact on F1 is immense, with records that have stood for nearly a decade. But Max Verstappen has been unstoppable this F1 season, achieving his ninth straight victory at the recent Dutch Grand Prix and inching ever closer to a third consecutive championship. The 25-year-old Dutchman could make history at tomorrow’s Italian GP, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 record of nine consecutive wins. A record that Verstappen has all but equaled, and one that Vettel achieved during his golden era with Red Bull Racing. While Vettel retired at the end of 2022, his influence and goodwill clearly have not.

While many would expect a sense of rivalry or nostalgia from Vettel, the German has exhibited nothing but sportsmanship. Earlier this year, when Verstappen was on his 5th consecutive win, Vettel reached out with a supportive message. “After five wins in a row, Seb texted me and said well done with what you are doing, keep it up and you are going to do it,” Verstappen shared. In a surprising turn, as revealed by Helmut Marko, Vettel texted him saying, “Sebastian isn’t jealous, by the way. He recently sent me a message saying that we should aim for twelve consecutive victories, so that the record remains in our hands forever.”

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Vettel, despite his strong ties with Ferrari and the Italian GP being a highly emotionally charged venue for the Scuderia team, has extended unprecedented support to Verstappen. This support is not just symbolic but a potent manifestation of sportsmanship and a nod to the heritage of Red Bull Racing, where both champions found their most definitive successes.

The Monza memory lane of Max Verstappen & Co.

Back in 2008, Red Bull was still hunting for their first win. They arrived at Monza with Mark Webber and David Coulthard, but it was Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s sister team, and a young Sebastian Vettel who stole the show. Vettel secured pole and led the race from start to finish, earning what some consider to be Red Bull’s first race win.

At a time when Red Bull’s victories were still dreams, Vettel’s historic win for Toro Rosso stirred mixed emotions. Helmut Marko, who played a significant role in Vettel’s early career, might have felt both pride and a tinge of embarrassment that Toro Rosso beat the main team to the punch. It’s a moment that holds particular relevance as Marko now cheers on Verstappen to break Vettel’s consecutive wins record.

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Don’t you think this is more than sportsmanship? It’s an embrace of the future, an acknowledgment that records are meant to be broken, and a salute to a successor who Vettel believes is worthy of doing so.

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