Formula 1 loses its best smile

The phenomenon of Max Verstappen in the Formula 1 World Championship follows the pattern previously established by Sebastian Vettel, the first of the cornerstones on which Red Bull swirled, more than a decade ago.

The tyranny with which the German established himself with the sequence of four titles that he won between 2010 and 2013 projected a dominance of the scene similar to that shown this season by Verstappen, who put on his second crown in Suzuka, four days ago great prizes before the end.

Vettel's effervescent ascent lost vigor in 2014, with the noisy irruption of Daniel Ricciardo, whom the brand of the red buffalo placed as his spearhead's partner.

The Australian took him two positions in the table and 71 points, almost three tests, and encouraged him to sign for Ferrari the following year (2015).

Throughout the 16 complete seasons that appear on his service sheet, the four-time champion will have participated in 299 grand prix, of which he won 53 – as long as he does not win this Sunday.

In addition, he scored 57

and went up 69 times to the drawer.

Tied even with Alain Prost, only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (seven each) and Juan Manuel Fangio (five) have more pedigree than him.

That zipper of shining teeth that he showed with his ambitious smile lost strength after his departure from Ferrari and his arrival at Aston Martin (2021), where he signed the only podium (Azerbaijan) of the Silverstone structure.

“These two years were not easy because he was not used to riding at the back of the pack.

They were hard times ”, admits Vettel, who four days after announcing his retirement, in Budapest, learned that his car will go to Fernando Alonso, with whom he played two crowns (2010 and 2012) of the four he owns.

The Spaniard, like the rest of the grid, attended the farewell dinner for a unique athlete,

full of contradictions that he does not seek to hide, such as his concern for sustainability.

“You will not find a single driver who speaks ill of Seb.

And I think this year makes it very clear what personality he has.

He is more than a pilot, he is a great human being ”, Carlos Sainz complimented him.

Daniel Ricciardo, in the Emirates.

DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)

Vettel believes he made the decision to leave at the right time, while the circumstances surrounding Ricciardo's departure have nothing to do with it.

The Australian had no intention of being left without a driver, but his discreet, not to say disappointing time at McLaren, and the lack of alternatives have left one of the most engaging characters in the Great Circus without a place.

The team from Woking (Great Britain) preferred to terminate him – they have paid him for the remaining year on his contract – and hire Oscar Piastri in his place, rather than risk losing this young talent from Melbourne.

Ricciardo, the one who in his day seemed the perfect product, both for his permanent smile and for his handling of social networks, began to lose body when he decided to leave Red Bull to sign for Renault (2020).

He was even more exposed in the last two years, at McLaren, where Lando Norris has surpassed him in all facets.

At 33, the Perth lad believes he still has things to say in the

, so that the eight victories that bear his name do not stop there.

Aware that he is not in a position to despise anything, everything seems ready for him to close his return to the energy team as a reserve driver.

In this position, he will have to combine his presence on the circuits with marketing work, where his funny face is the best claim for Red Bull.

For him, in any case, it will be laughing so as not to cry.

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