
• Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have shared the podium 56 times.
• The pair have been the biggest rivals in Formula 1 this past decade.
• Vettel was the first to congratulate Hamilton on Sunday after he won his seventh world title.
• For more motoring stories, go to Wheels24.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel's rivalry has been the highlight of Formula One during this past decade. Considering Seb's horrendous year, seeing the two world champions share a moment was heartwarming.
I'm sure Vettel just wants 2020 to be over already like everyone else, and start with a clean slate at Aston Martin next year. After his poor form on track, and being sacked by Ferrari at the end of this season, no one expected the German driver to be standing up on the podium in Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.
Hamilton and Vettel's rivalry is what kept the sport alive before Mercedes' complete dominance in the sport, and according to Formula One, the two have stood together on the podium 56 times, more than any other two drivers. Sunday's race was truly the most special for them.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have stood on the podium together 56 times - more than any other pairing in #F1 history
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 16, 2020
Perhaps this was the most special... pic.twitter.com/HGkAUJt6Mt
In our household, my husband watches races in another room as a Vettel supporter. And while I am an unashamedly #TeamLH fangirl, I have grown to admire and respect Vettel in a new perspective this year. My tears might have been for Hamilton, but my screams at the end of the race had me out of the seat as Vettel passed his team mate Charles Leclerc on the third-last corner to secure a well-deserved spot on the podium.
The final lap really said ???????????? ??#TurkishGP ???? #F1 pic.twitter.com/sReBo2xTRQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2020
What a wonderful sight it was to see these two world champions on the podium again.
Hamilton rarely shows such emotion like he did when he drove a stellar race on Sunday to win the Turkish grand prix, and also his 94th career victory. The occasion was overwhelming for the British driver as he pulled in to the parc ferme and parked his car, trying to gain his composure. But it was the moment when Vettel came over and shook his hand, telling Hamilton how special it was that we could all witness him "make history". And even though we could not hear their words, it was the body language and gestures of complete respect that makes you realise what a great sportsman Vettel really is.
Sebastian Vettel and @LewisHamilton shared a very special podium on Sunday #TurkishGP ???? #F1 pic.twitter.com/X6gh1X9aYh
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2020
Not too long ago, Vettel admitted that Michael Schumacher is the greatest driver of all time in his eyes, but on Sunday he hailed Hamilton as the "greatest driver of our era".
And if the videos and pictures are not enough, there's another clip where Hamilton pays tribute to Vettel's greatness, despite his horrific year on track, and how good it was to battle with him again.
The bromance between the two greats of this era is honestly the most wholesome thing in F1 right now https://t.co/AwUMJhxhU5
— Tom Bellingham (@TommyWTF1) November 15, 2020
May there be many more wonderful wheel-to-wheel races between these two in the years to come. Excuse me as I bawl my eyes out watching these moments again.
"We're witnessing you making history, man!"
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2020
A memory to last forever as Sebastian Vettel congratulates his friend and rival @LewisHamilton ????#TurkishGP ???? #F1 pic.twitter.com/5LGvaby4k0