Formula 1 is in Bahrain for the annual pre-season testing. The pinnacle form of motorsport will be at the Bahrain International Circuit for the next three days until February 25 for the annual testing before the business gets underway in March’s first week. As the drivers took their cars out for drives after drives, Lewis Hamilton and his ex-teammate Valtteri Bottas did something that made the F1 community emotional. Hamilton and Bottas’s on-track shenanigan left the fans in tears as it remained them of Sebastian Vettel.
The Mercedes driver and the Alfa Romeo driver respectively took out time between their sessions to look at Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car. As the former Mercedes duo set their sight on the RB-19, fans immediately called out the action as of Vettel’s inspection days. Vettel, who was satirically known to be Inspector Seb for his inspection of rival cars, and fans saw a glimpse of that from Hamilton, his ardent friend, and Bottas in Bahrain. No wonder the influence of Vettel has rubbed on to them, whose on-track shenanigans made fans feel like they’re seeing Seb’s double on the action.
Inspector Seb's legacy lives on at F1 testing in 2023 😅 pic.twitter.com/Webp09wwgC
— Autosport (@autosport) February 23, 2023
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Sebastian Vettel will no more be a part of the Formula 1 grid for the first time since 2007. The German left the sport after his ultimate race with Aston Martin in Abu Dhabi last year. Even though he is absent, his antics will live on through the fans and the drivers for a long time.
Fans react as Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas show Sebastian Vettel’s antics
Soon after the footage and snaps of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas inspecting the rival car, Red Bull surfaced on the internet. Fans were quick to share their reactions to it. The fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the Vettel-esque behavior.
Given below are some of the reactions we have amassed from Twitter:
I see SV inspection academy has grown lol
— Social Medium (@Medium4Social) February 23, 2023
that's a real fucking legacy to leave https://t.co/QWYzduesYe
— bella³ (@danielshoey) February 23, 2023
i miss him already https://t.co/1cc1X5t0pQ
— ًsal (@BAEKlSM) February 23, 2023
seb will surely approve😆 https://t.co/gJO4Bdmir0
— Zann (@zannchua18) February 23, 2023
Inspection and Vettel have become so common that fans refer to this action as it only belongs to the former Red Bull champion. However, a part of the fans also had to say that it wasn’t Vettel who initiated such close looks at rival challengers. It was Michael Schumacher. Nevertheless, it was the four-time world champion who made it more popular.
Sebbie will be proud🥺 but no one does it like HIM!!!!!!! https://t.co/vetvgb20dF pic.twitter.com/hu5H0LLnWv
— ナイク #AlwaysBelieveInSeb♡ (@NaikSV5) February 23, 2023
they think he's him 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ORqQqZwmJb
— Dragos (@DIPcomps) February 23, 2023
i am actually crying, i miss seb much
— kathi | PRE-SEASON TESTING IS ON (@bqckl3ys_) February 23, 2023
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I know in the social media age Vettel was regularly inspecting rival cars, but I'm sure Michael Schumacher used to do it a lot as well.
— Rimal 🏁 (@_Rimal) February 23, 2023
On a side note, fans also pointed out how Bottas looked similar to his Mercedes days. As the Finn was standing beside Hamilton in the Alfa Romeo black racing suit, it had a similarity with that of the Mercedes suit. This left a part of the fans getting confused and reminded them of their Silver Arrows days together.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Finds Himself in an Unusual Situation With His Teammate for the First Time Since 2007
Did you find Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas’ actions as a remembrance of Sebastian Vettel? Let us know.