Almost a year ago, during the summer break, the entire world of Formula 1 was caught off guard by Sebastian Vettel. The German legend announced his retirement from the sport in the most unorthodox fashion. Vettel’s announcement started a domino effect that wreaked havoc on the silly season. In fact, it was his decision that opened a window of opportunity for Fernando Alonso, whose fruit the Spaniard is still enjoying. Many assumed seeing his former team perform so well and his old rival collecting the plaudits would’ve made Vettel envious. However, the humble giant is better than that. He once again rubbished the jealousy rumors by rubbing a little salt in Alonso’s wounds.

Aston Martin started the season on an incredible note with back-to-back podiums for Alonso. This gave him and the entire team hopes for his first race win since 2012. However, thanks to Red Bull‘s supremacy, that scenario looks highly unlikely. So while addressing this question in an exclusive with the Austrian team, Vettel ridiculed any suggestion of resentment.

“The first reaction of many people was: The fact that the Aston Martin is so fast this season must frustrate you? Okay, maybe it would be easier if the car was total garbage, in the sense of: I’m not missing anything anyway. No, I’m primarily happy for the team. And I’m happy for Fernando Alonso. For many years he had no car in which he could show his driving skills. Now he can and is up there. Red Bull Racing dominates, and I still have a lot of friends and acquaintances there. I’m really happy when they win,” said Vettel. (Translated via Google)

Read More: “Made the Decision To Retire”: Sebastian Vettel Dissed for Abandoning Aston Martin While 41-Year-Old Fernando Alonso Hailed Courageous

The four-time champion has no lingering ill feelings regarding his time in F1 or with Aston Martin. In fact, soon after his retirement, he could’ve been presented with a golden opportunity, but everyone at Aston Martin was respectful of his decision.

Did Sebastian Vettel have an opportunity to drive alongside Fernando Alonso for the season opener because of Lance Stroll’s injury?

We can all assume the decision to step away from the sport he loves must’ve been difficult for the German. The months that followed after his decision could’ve been worse. However, once he made that decision, the entire world respected and Vettel had nothing left to prove.

So when Aston Martin was dealt with the dilemma of Lance Stroll‘s injury before the season opener was a good excuse to try and get Vettel back for at least one race. Although the British team respected the German’s decision and asking Vettel to return so soon was never an option.

Even Vettel was on the same page as the British team as he was made aware of Stroll’s injury. He said, “I never really thought what it could mean. I had a message from Mike on my phone. And we talked a little bit. But a comeback was never an option.”

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It would’ve been extraordinary to see Vettel open the season in the rapid AMR23, but we can’t be this lucky. Perhaps in the future, the German might change his mind. Till then, we wait in anticipation.