Picture Credit: Twitter
Sebastian Vettel recently drove legendary driver Ayrton Senna’s iconic McLaren MP4/8 at Silverstone. This followed an announcement that the four-time world champion will be driving the McLaren MP4/8 and Nigel Mansell’s FW14B at the Goodwill Festival of Speed. Vettel is also expected to drive at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in an F1 car later this year in his RB7.
Also Read: Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo to team up at Nurburgring event in September 2023
F1 enthusiasts on Twitter were delighted to see the nostalgic car being taken for a spin, particularly appreciating the sound that the engines of classic F1 cars make. They were also happy to see the beloved driver back on the track, and in a legendary car to boot.
Watch the video here:
Vettel officially retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season, but has announced his participation in the Goodwill Festival of Speed in England. An enthusiast of F1 history and collector of vintage cars, both the MP4/8 and the FW14B will drive at the festival.
MP4/8 retains status as one of F1’s mo st significant cars
Ron Dennis called it one of the best cars ever made when it came out, and Ayrton Senna’s heroics in it elevated the car to cult status. It was Senna’s last F1 car, and also the car in which he won his most famous race - Donington ‘93.
In the MP4/8, Senna took five wins against rival Alain Prost’s seven, who would ultimately go on to win the title using an FW15C. Still, the red and white colours of the MP4/8 are remembered fondly, especially among older F1 fans. The car, which was also driven by Michael Andretti and Mika Häkinnen, won five races and achieved nine podiums.
Vettel will be celebrating his historic career later this year at the Festival of Speed, and has vowed to drive all of his cars using sustainable fuels.
“It's great to be coming back to Goodwood after all these years. I can't wait to get behind the wheel of some of my most memorable cars which will be running on sustainable fuel over the weekend," said Vettel. “I’m a passionate racer and it’s important to me that we continue to enjoy driving iconic racing cars today and, in the future, but that we do so in a responsible way."
