The last race of the season in Abu Dhabi will be the last race ever for Sebastian Vettel. The 4-time world champion will bid adieu to the sport he has kept close to his heart for so many years. To mark the legend’s retirement, the entire grid gathered for a dinner and the photos have got fans emotional.

The race will also be the final race for Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, and Nicholas Latifi, but the trio will push for a comeback in 2024 or the following years. Among the drivers who posted the photos on their social media are Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and George Russell.

Formula 1’s dinner date gets fans emotional

Speaking with the media about his retirement ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP weekend, Sebastian Vettel said, “I think it’s difficult in a way to grasp, but yeah, I am aware of what’s happening and I’m happy about it. As far as I can be.”

“I guess it will be, at some point, a little bit different. It does feel a little bit different already today even though, like I said, a lot of it is routine. How much and how it will be, I don’t know yet. I guess you’ll have to ask me again if you catch me.”

As the photos from the dinner started appearing on social media, fans either reacted with emotional messages or spotted some hilarious moments.

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Do you think Lewis Hamilton is trying to get Sergio Perez on his team after what happened in Brazil? One fan certainly thinks so.

We don’t know what Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc are trying to do here, but someone thought they were trying to impress Seb somehow.

Daniel Ricciardo had Pierre Gasly and his McLaren mate, Lando Norris by his side. But come on Lando, eyes open.

Alright now, what is Lando doing here? Maybe we should just go “Lando doing Lando things” and move on.

Here is Gasly’s failed attempt at timing the photo.

Read More: Max Verstappen & Co Get Emotional Applauding Sebastian Vettel as Curtains Close On F1 Legacy : “That Just Shows How He Is”

Judge for yourself on this one. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez though.

In case you didn’t find Lewis earlier, here’s where he was.

Fernando will sport a special helmet as a tribute to his fellow champion in the last race. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen too had some words for Vettel before retirement.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen speak on Sebastian Vettel’s retirement

Speaking ahead of the race in the press conference, Lewis Hamilton felt Vettel will come back to the sport. “I was just sitting here thinking most drivers are coming back, like he’s come back [pointing at Fernando Alonso next to him],” Lewis said.

“You’re probably going to come back [referring to Vettel]. We’re seeing other drivers coming back. So I’m sitting here kind of accepting, yes, it’s your last race, but he’ll be back.”

Max Verstappen recalled last year’s crash at the British GP and how Vettel was there waiting for him when he came back from the hospital. “So when I came back from the hospital to get to my motorhome to get all my stuff, he was there waiting for me. When I got out of the car and you [Vettel] said ‘Hey, Max, like how you doing? Are you okay?’,” Verstappen revealed.

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We as fans will miss Seb as well. Not just for his racing prowess, but also for the social and environmental issues he took up during his time in F1. We hope those will continue for many years to come.