The Formula 1 world was saddened last season when Sebastian Vettel announced that the 2022 season would be his last in Formula 1.
At the age of 35 the German had won four world championships and achieved everything that he had set out to achieve in his illustrious racing career.
Vettel explained that while he still enjoys racing in Formula 1, he has other interests in life that he would like to be able to give more time and attention to, such as his children.
The four-time world champion is currently taking part in the Race of Champions alongside the likes of Mick Schumacher and Valtteri Bottas, meaning he is not quite ready to step away from motorsport for good.
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Towards the latter stages of his career Vettel became a favourite amongst both fans and drivers, with fellow veteran Fernando Alonso almost scared to race the German in Abu Dhabi as he did not wish to ruin his final ever Grand Prix.
The Spaniard has now revealed that while he and Vettel have a huge amount of mutual respect for each other, there is only one driver on the current grid that actually has the German’s phone number, and it isn’t him.
“I don’t have that, only Lewis [Hamilton] has his number,” claimed Alonso.
Hamilton’s relationship with Vettel has really gone from arch nemesis to close friend over the course of their time racing against each other in F1.
During the four-time world champion’s days with Red Bull and Ferrari, himself and Hamilton would often find themselves wheel-to-wheel for the championship, often ending in controversy.
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The rivalry between the pair boiled over in Baku in 2017, as Vettel responded to a Hamilton brake-check by deliberately driving into the side of the Brit.
Towards the end of his F1 career, Vettel became very outspoken about the things that he believes in, often campaigning alongside Hamilton for what he believes in right, no matter the consequences.
This led to the pair developing an unlikely friendship, which ended with Hamilton paying for a meal for the entire F1 grid in Abu Dhabi, to celebrate the glittering and trophy-laden career of Sebastian Vettel.