"Sebastian Vettel you're the world Champion, you are a four time world champion". These were the words I was enjoying my afternoon tea with on a fateful Sunday in 2013. It was the Indian Grand Prix and my second season of watching Formula 1. A rookie follower of the sport contemplating whether to watch the next season, when Sebastian Vettel, the record setter of 13 wins in a season (set in 2013), won his fourth championship in a dominating fashion with races to spare. Just a year prior he had won his third chapionship in a more dramatic last race three-way battle. He was just a 25-26 year old boy from Germany with a wicked sense of humour and shear ruthlessness in the car.
There are many great things about this memory, I became a permanent Formula one fan and follower, such a big one that I graduated in Motorsport Engineering! or the fact that it happened in the INDIAN GP! or that, the marks of donuts after the race is still on the track when looked upon from google maps. But the most important memory that I have from this event is what happens after the donuts, Seb got out of the car and bowed in front of it. a mark of respect for the machinery, showing appreciation to the Designers and Engineers and thousands of man hours spent by other people helping him fulfil his dream. A very powerful image got embedded in my brain ever since!
It was unfortunate as I could not see the race that year and Formula one never returned to India since. I did get a glimpse of him when he was at Ferrari a few years later, and that was all it was, a glimpse. I did get to meet Mattia Binotto though!
I was disappointed along with so many other when he did not win with Ferrari. But I still believe he was the best chance they had. But that's a story for another time!
For now, Danke Seb! Danke for all the memories!
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