Vettel drove Schumacher’s Ferrari F2002 in Monza tribute
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 6, 2026
Vettel tribute run
Sebastian Vettel returned to the Formula 1 paddock at Monza and put on a tribute run in Michael Schumacher’s 2002 Ferrari F2002 for Italian fans ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. Vettel completed an honorary lap in the machine, then added donuts for the crowd as part of the pre-race buildup. The run centered on the F2002, which had belonged to Schumacher, and Vettel drove the car as a tribute to him.
Schumacher connection
Vettel said the day left him “mixed up in feelings.” He said he felt Schumacher’s presence during the laps and called the F2002 “such a beautiful piece of machinery.” The car carried even more meaning for him because it had belonged to Schumacher, and Vettel made clear that the connection shaped how he approached the run. He described the day as “Michael’s moment” and “Michael’s car.” Vettel also called Schumacher his boyhood hero. He said the experience felt like he had won the race before it even started. Vettel said the moment was “beautiful” and “deeply emotional,” and added that the car “felt alive.” He also said he was torn between pushing the car and savoring the experience.
Ferrari homage
Ferrari used the Monza weekend to honor Schumacher 30 years after his first season with the team in 1996, folding Vettel’s run into the tribute. Ferrari also ran both SF-26 cars in a tribute livery inspired by Schumacher’s first Ferrari, the F310. That touch tied the current cars to Schumacher’s Ferrari era, while Vettel’s drive in the F2002 brought the homage into sharper focus for fans in attendance. The combination of the tribute livery and the demonstration run connected Schumacher’s time with Ferrari to the present. Vettel’s lap in the F2002 made that link personal. The moment carried weight for Vettel and the fans at Monza.
