Sebastian Vettel stated that the late Dietrich Mateschitz was a “great inspiration” for him.
Last Saturday news broke out that Mateschitz, who was the co-founder and owner of Red Bull, passed away at the age of 78. Since the announcement, many personalities in the paddock paid tribute to him.
Vettel, who won 4 world championships with Red Bull, also shared his memories about his relationship with Mateschitz.
“We had a very good relationship, and what I really appreciate today is that it was always eye level, even though he was far more experienced and knowledgeable than I was, especially early on,” he said.
“It’s been a real shock, last week, to hear the news and a massive, massive loss. To me, he’s been a great inspiration because he’s always been himself.
“So many things happened and evolved in his life and got so big around him, but it is really his creative mind probably shaped that path and shaped that path until the very end, so it will be a huge loss for the Red Bull family, not just for racing, all of us in Formula 1, with the impact of two teams on the grid and the drivers.
“But I think, speaking for so many other sports where the brand, Red Bull, had such a huge impact and helped kids, girls, boys, men, women along the way and helped them to chase their dreams.
“It’s all down to Dietrich and the idea that he had in his head, what he wanted to do with this brand and that’s what he created.
“It is a very, very big loss and [for] everybody who had the privilege to get to know him and be with him. [He was] extremely humble, kind and just [had] a good and big heart.”
It was also confirmed that Vettel will wear a special helmet at the Mexico City GP which is a throwback to his Red Bull days.
