Sebastian Vettel’s Bizarre Post-Race Hitchhike in Malaysia

Sebastian Vettel’s 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix concluded not with a celebration, but with one of the most surreal images in Formula 1 history. After a hard-fought fourth-place finish, a post-race collision with Lance Stroll left Vettel stranded, forcing the four-time champion to hitch a ride back to the pits on a rival's car.

Why it matters:

While cool-down laps are typically reserved for celebration and rubber-picking, this incident underscores how quickly chaos can ensue even after the checkered flag. It also highlights a rare moment of driver camaraderie, as Pascal Wehrlein paused his Sauber to rescue a competitor—a gesture that has become increasingly rare under the stringent safety regulations of the current era.

The details:

• The Clash: The incident occurred at Turn 5 when Vettel attempted to pass Stroll on the outside. Both drivers later claimed they were simply "picking up rubber" to prepare for the next event.
• The Outcome: The impact destroyed Vettel's left-rear suspension, rendering the Ferrari immobile. The FIA stewards ultimately ruled it a racing incident, issuing no penalties to either driver.
• The Ride: In a scene rarely seen in the modern era, Pascal Wehrlein stopped his Sauber, allowing Vettel to clamber onto the sidepod for the remainder of the lap to return to the garage.
• Historic Precedents: This joined a short list of F1 "lifts," including Nigel Mansell carrying Ayrton Senna at the 1991 British GP and Fernando Alonso picking up Mark Webber in Singapore 2013.

The big picture:

Looking back from September 2026, this moment serves as a nostalgic reminder of the sport's more unpredictable and human side. As Formula 1 continues to evolve into a highly clinical and data-driven spectacle, these eccentric post-race anomalies remain cherished pieces of the sport's folklore, contrasting sharply with today's strictly managed race procedures.