“Everyone in the paddock loves him,” observed Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Sebastian Vettel. “You will not hear a bad word about Seb.” One perspective on Vettel, who announced his impending retirement on Thursday, that reflected a uniformity of opinion that is rare, almost unheard of, in Formula One’s fractious and egocentric atmosphere.
Sainz was spot on. Vettel is admired, respected and genuinely liked. When he takes his final flag at the end of the season the four-time champion will also be missed.
