Vettel says Red Bull ties remain strong ahead of Austrian GP
Sebastian Vettel, now with Ferrari, says he still enjoys a close relationship with Red Bull and Dietrich Mateschitz despite leaving the team after 2014.
Sebastian Vettel has said his relationship with Red Bull and its founder Dietrich Mateschitz remains strong, even after his move to Ferrari for the 2015 Formula One season. Vettel, who won four world championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, was a product of the company’s junior driver programme and spent the formative years of his F1 career under its wing.
Vettel and Red Bull: Relationship After Departure
Ahead of the 2015 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, Vettel told Austria’s APA news agency he still feels a connection to the energy drink company and its leadership. He described his relationship with Mateschitz as very good and said there was no dispute when he left the team at the end of 2014. Vettel added he would be happy to catch up with Mateschitz during the race weekend.
Vettel’s Connection to the Austrian Grand Prix and Red Bull
Although Vettel now races for Ferrari, he said he still feels connected to Red Bull, especially as Formula One returns to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix. He acknowledged the effort the company puts into organising its home race and said he retains relationships with several Red Bull officials. For Vettel, the Austrian round remains a special event, though he now considers Monza more of a home race given his current team.
- Vettel maintains contact with Red Bull officials.
- He appreciates the organisation of the Austrian Grand Prix.
- The Red Bull Ring holds personal significance for him.
Red Bull’s Role in Vettel’s Career
Red Bull’s junior driver programme played a decisive role in Vettel’s rise, giving him his first F1 seat at Toro Rosso before his promotion to the senior team. His success with Red Bull included a dominant run of championships and contributed to the team’s constructors’ titles. Despite moving to a rival, Vettel’s appreciation for Red Bull’s support remains clear.
| Year(s) | Team | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Toro Rosso (Red Bull Junior Team) | First F1 win (Italian GP) |
| 2009–2014 | Red Bull Racing | Four world championships (2010–2013) |
| 2015– | Ferrari | Joined after leaving Red Bull |
