SEBASTIAN VETTEL sent the crowd wild at the Monza Grand Prix by doing donuts in Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari.
The German Formula One star, 39, got behind the wheel of the seven-time world champion’s F2002 for a lap to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his debut.
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The 1996 season also featured the first of Schumacher’s five victories at Monza, which came in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006.
Before driving a lap around Monza, Vettel said: “It’s dedicated to my friend and his memory, it will be a very emotional moment.
“Schumacher was my childhood hero, and we even developed a deep friendship afterward.
“We became quite close and shared so many great memories. And I think everyone today, myself included, would much rather see him driving here than me.
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“But I can’t wait for that moment in the car because I think it will be a moment when we will feel Michael’s presence and what he still represents today… We will hear him speak. So yes, I think there’s much more to it than just a lap or two.”
Ferrari has used its entire Italian Grand Prix weekend to pay tribute to Schumacher.
At the heart of the tribute is the SF-26’s special Monza livery, designed as a direct homage to the F310 the German drove during his first Ferrari campaign.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are wearing one-off race suits that retain Ferrari’s iconic red design and feature white stripes down the front, the arms and across the shoulders.
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Seven stars have also been added on the upper back to represent the German driver’s seven championship titles, two of which he won with Benetton.
The stars are in the same style as those Schumacher incorporated into his helmet designs.
Schumacher’s logo also sits on the hip of each race suit.
Schumacher’s 2000 race suit could be sold for €150,000 at auction for the Schumacher Foundation – while Leclerc has donated a previous race suit.