18 January 2023 , 15:12
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A social media post from Sebastian Vettel has received a warm response from fans, after he shared a throwback picture with the F1 legend Michael Schumacher.
The status of Schumacher's health is largely unknown, after the seven-time champion suffered a brain injury whilst skiing in 2013. Recently the seven-time world champion's son Mick - who has also plying his trade in Formula 1 - posted a whole host of touching photos of his dad across Instagram after he turned 54 at the start of the month.
The youngster has now been joined by recently-retired Vettel, who left the sport at the end of last season following a stint racing for Aston Martin. Schumacher Sr acted as a huge mentor in Vettel's career which, like his fellow German, was littered with success having won four F1 world championships while racing for Red Bull.
The German pair have always been known to have shared a strong relationship, but many fans did not realise just how far back it went. In a throwback Instagram post Vettel shared a shot of him behind the wheel as a youngster in his karting days.
In the picture he was joined by the great Schumacher, who was seen crouched down next to the fully-kitted out youngster. The post gained huge traction online, with the photo receiving nearly 350,000 likes in just one day.
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“Receiving last Orders (NRW Cup Final, Kerpen, Germany),” wrote Vettel in the caption. Kerpen, where his parents ran a karting circuit, is also the location where Schumacher caught the racing bug, heightening the similarities between the two multiple world champions.
As well as pressing the like button, fans were also quick to jump to the comments section to show their love for the two F1 stalwarts. In a heartwarming message one follower - @imronitt - wrote: "A second father to Seb! We miss you, Mr. Schumacher."
Fans were seemingly left fighting back the tears, as @mtcnblt commented: "who’s cutting onions man," whilst another - @anicega_ - added 'Brb (be right back) gonna cry."
What is your favourite Sebastian Vettel moment? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher have a long history (Corbis via Getty Images)Calling for more throwback content from the iconic German pair, @reemmukhdoomii posted: "We need more of Vettel and a Schumacher content," before @anaghamadhuchandran wrote: "Love seeing the old pictures. Post more."
While Schumacher Sr's health has been kept private by his family, many F1 fans have adored seeing how Vettel became something of a mentor to Mick. Schumacher Jr endured a tough two seasons in Formula 1 while racing for Haas and lost his seat at the team ahead of the 2023 campaign.
But his journey in F1 has ended there, with the German now a reserve driver for Mercedes, the team his dad spent the final three years of his F1 career before retiring for a second time.