Vettel's Ferrari headshot appears on Winter Olympics pass

Four‑time world champion Sebastian Vettel surprised fans by using a vintage Ferrari headshot on his Winter Olympics accreditation pass while visiting the Games in Italy. The former Scuderia driver’s nod to his 2015‑2020 stint sparked a flood of Reddit jokes and reminded the F1 community that retired racers still carry brand value beyond the grid.

Why it matters:

• Vettel’s image still resonates in Italy, where former Ferrari drivers enjoy lasting recognition.
• The incident shows how retired drivers can leverage past team ties for media visibility, underscoring the commercial link between F1 and other global events.
• The playful fan response also underscores how social media amplifies even minor F1 moments into viral talk.

The details:

• He attended the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and used a Ferrari portrait taken during his 2015‑2020 tenure.
• Reddit users defended the choice, calling it a “good reminder” of his Maranello days and joking they’d “talk about it forever” if they were F1 drivers.
• Vettel retired after 2022 with 53 wins, 122 podiums and 57 poles, and now focuses on climate activism and co‑owns the German SailGP team.

What's next:

Vettel will likely appear at more non‑racing events, using his high‑profile image to promote environmental causes. As F1 intertwines with broader cultural moments, retired champions like him remain valuable ambassadors for both the sport and their chosen causes.