"It's Been An Honour": Lewis Hamilton Leads Affectionate Tributes To Retiring Sebastian Vettel

Lewis Hamilton led the way as colleagues, rivals and friends joined in affectionate tribute to Sebastian Vettel on Thursday after the four-time champion announced he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season. Seven-time champion Hamilton, who made his debut alongside the 35-year-old German in 2007 and was his greatest rival for many years, said it had been an honour to have raced and befriended him. "Seb, it's been an honour to call you a competitor and an ever greater honour to call you my friend," said Hamilton in a post on Twitter.

"Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal.

"I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man."

Later in a paddock interview, he added: "He is one of the few who stood for much more than himself. He used his voice and helped support.

"He has taken the knee from the start and he takes his own journey and he has fought for the things he believes in and for the greater good.

"And I am delighted to have been here and raced alongside with him and I am sad at today's news, but I know he will do things beyond this."

Vettel's protege and friend Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael, said his compatriot had been an important part of his own career.

"I'm so sad that you're leaving, but at the same time excited for you and this new chapter of your life. You've been and still are such an important person to me and I'm thankful for our friendship."

"Great role model"

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz told reporters ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix how generous Vettel had been to him when he was the simulator driver at Red Bull during his halcyon days, winning four drivers' championships.

"From the