Sebastian Vettel is the star of the show at the Festival of Speed | GRR
It's been 11 years since Sebastian Vettel joined us here at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard. Back then he was at Red Bull, a mere two-time F1 World Champion, but at the very peak of his powers.
Little did we know then just how much history he would go on to make, as he returned this year a four-time world champion, a 53-time grand prix winner, and one of the most popular figures in the F1 community, even as he embarks on a new life since retiring at the end of the 2022 season.
He's not quite ready to sit back and relax yet, though, and we're very glad to see that he's still putting his right foot to good use.
Having already piloted his very own Williams FW14B up the Festival od Speed Hill on Sunday morning, the car in which Nigel Mansell won the 1992 F1 World Championship, in the afternoon he drove his other car, Ayrton Senna's 1993 McLaren MP4/8.
Running on renewable fuels as part of his 'Race without a trace' campaign, the four-time champion did a cheeky doughnut outside of Goodwood House before walking through a sea of fans and then joining the Duke of Richmond and Karun Chandhok on the balcony for a special moment of appreciation of everything he has achieved in his racing career, and also his plans for the future.
Since stepping away from Formula 1 Seb has thrown his energy into his new Race without Trace campaign, an effort he hopes will see events like the Festival of Speed remain the same as they always have done, even when fossil fuels are long gone. Indeed, the two cars he drove at Goodwood were both running on sustainable fuels. We got all of the noise and excitement completely carbon-free.
He had plenty to say, hinting that he might one day like to race at the Revival on four wheels or even two, while he hopes it won't be another decade before he returns to the Festival of Speed. Don't be a stranger Sebastian, it's been a pleasure to have you here.
Photography by Pete Summers.