Mick Schumacher Honors Sebastian Vettel’s Last Dance With Touching Tribute as Fans Shed a Tear Over Parting F1 Buds

One of the closest drivers to Sebastian Vettel on the grid is his racing hero’s son, Mick Schumacher. And despite the pink slip handed out to him by Haas, Mick has not forgotten that his godfather Vettel will retire this weekend. Thus, he revealed his #DankeSeb helmet for the Abu Dhabi weekend while going into Friday practice.

Schumacher did not drive his car in FP1 at Yas Marina Circuit, as Haas reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi drove in FP1. Although just before FP2 began, the young German was spotted with his Sebastian Vettel tribute helmet.

The helmet is a replica design of Vettel’s classic helmet that includes a German flag band on it. Meanwhile, the main tribute feature is #DankeSeb written in a cursive font on top of the helmet. “#DankeSeb” translates to “Thank You Seb!” from German.

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Haas announced ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP weekend that Mick Schumacher will not race for them in 2023. Despite coping with the shocking news, Mick has remembered to pay tribute to his hero Vettel, who races for the final time in F1.

Fan Reactions to Tribute Helmet of Mick Schumacher to Sebastian Vettel

Here are some of the fan reactions on social to Mick’s Vettel tribute helmet for the Abu Dhabi GP.

F1 Fans are emotional on seeing Mick’s tribute helmet as it packs a double emotional punch. This is especially the case with Mick fans who are not just upset about Vettel’s final race but also because Mick himself is out of a drive for 2023.

Although the 2020 F2 champion isn’t retiring like his mentor Seb, it’s going to be difficult for him to make his way back to F1. We never know with German manufacturer Audi coming in 2026, the demand for German drivers might shoot up.

Yet, Mick will have to find his way back as the F1 paddock is known for its short memory for drivers.

The emotional coaster has begun in Abu Dhabi, as not just one driver will race for the final time in F1. Besides Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher, even Daniel Ricciardo and Nicholas Latifi are out of a drive for 2023. Thus, the Honey Badger and Latifi will bid adieu to McLaren and Williams respectively, after the Yas Marina race.

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It’s going to be an emotional paddock on Sunday with goodbye hugs and tears. Vettel would dearly wish that his protege finds a way back to an F1 seat in the upcoming future. Though Fernando Alonso returned after his farewell race in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Can we see Vettel do the same and come back to F1?