(Motorsport-Total.com) – The death of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert in Belgium 2019 shook Formula 1. Although the show went on as usual the day after the tragic accident of the Frenchman, Sebastian Vettel now admits seven years later that for the only time in his career he seriously considered not starting the race.
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At that time, Vettel had qualified for the front row alongside Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc when shortly after the Formula 1 qualifying behind the Raidillon crest the terrible accident in Formula 2 happened, in which Hubert lost his life and Juan Manuel Correa was seriously injured.
Formula 1 was in shock – and so was Vettel: “I have had accidents myself, but fortunately they were only minor. I have also seen others crash. But this young man had his whole life ahead of him, and it just stopped while we all watched,” writes the former world champion in a piece for the New York Times.
“I called my wife Hanna and told her that I didn’t want to race the day after the accident,” he reveals. According to him, it was the only time in his career that he seriously questioned getting back in the car. “I slept badly that night; nevertheless, I decided to race.”
Moment of silence for Anthoine Hubert
Vettel started, just like all the other 19 drivers. In the end, Leclerc won his first Formula 1 race and dedicated the victory to his deceased friend.
The danger in motorsport is still ever-present today, even if many drivers often suppress it due to the high safety standards. Usually, it only comes back to mind when something happens.
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“There were moments when I lost control of the car because something broke or I simply pushed too hard. I have had my share of accidents,” says Vettel. “Even though a crash happens very quickly: when it happens, time seems to slow down.”
“You begin to grasp the shocking reality and the consequences of chasing high speeds. The brutal force of a crash reminds you what you are playing with. But I kept racing.”
But Spa 2019 changed something in him: “After that weekend, I thought differently about my sport, which I only really understood after my retirement. I was never afraid of the speeds, but from then on I could see them, not just feel them.”
“I began to feel a responsibility that I hadn’t had before,” said the German. “I started to understand that speed, progress, and innovation only matter if they move us in the right direction.”
Vettel ended his Formula 1 career three years later. There has been no return to professional motorsport to this day.
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