Sebastian Vettel: Passionate about motorbikes © Markus Jans/Red Bulletin

Sebastian Vettel, the best Formula One driver of his generation, has a lifelong passion for historic vehicles. It’s a love of engineering, beauty, form and freedom. On a recent day off, he rode some of the rarest old bikes in the world. The Red Bulletin joined him.

On the Furkajoch alpine pass in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg, a young man dressed in a stylish leather jacket, jeans and silver helmet is doing circuits on a motorcycle. There are several bike lovers present, but only a few can identify the ride, even after looking at its emblem. It’s a Scott Flying Squirrel, made in 1938. The rider is much more easily identified: Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One world champion and lover of historic vehicles.

The bicycle was the first means of transportation which gave me independence

– Sebastian Vettel

“Once I learnt to ride a bicycle my father bought Mini Vespas for my sister and me,” says Vettel. “When I took my first ride in the garden it was freezing cold, and I shivered so much that I fell.”

Vettel had a normal, active childhood, and the most obvious means to freedom came on two wheels: “You could ride into town, to the outdoor pool, meet up with friends. The bicycle was the first means of transportation which gave me independence.”

At 16, I invested all of my confirmation money in my first motorcycle, a Cagiva Mito

– Vettel

As a teenager, Vettel raced go-karts, and a moped licence was the logical next step. A racing driver travelling to school on a pushbike? No way. Naturally, the moped underwent certain mechanical modifications to increase its speed, “fairly aimless tinkering”, laughs Vettel.

In any case, he was born too late – 1987 – for the true golden age of moped tune-ups. It was his father’s generation that pushed the parameters of that particular mode of transport. “At 16, I invested all of my confirmation money in my first motorcycle, a Cagiva Mito,” says Vettel. “It was quite something. From the front it looked like a Ducati.”

Vettel now has the same BMW that Grandpa once rode The Mito was rarely parked out front of the school because Vettel was otherwise engaged with storming his way through different junior racing series. Not long after he passed his final exams, he made his debut in Formula One, aged 19. However, at home the talk of motorbikes never let up. His grandfather had rhapsodised about his NSU Max and his BMW R 51/3, and Vettel now has the same BMW that Grandpa once rode. It’s not ready for riding yet. “To be honest,” says its new owner, “it has to be completely rebuilt.” He wants to do it with his own hands, but doesn’t have the time right now.

Sebastian Vettel: Cover star of The Red Bulletin © The Red Bulletin

Also in his fleet is another restoration job, in the form of an old Vespa, as well as a modern scooter for everyday riding (“unbeatable in town”), a KTM 690 Duke for fun on the bends and a BMW S 1000 RR for serious sports riding.

When you have the motor skills of a Formula One world champion, you can jump on any old thing and look great. “I think I quickly get accustomed to speed and motion sequences. I get the upper hand, but because I don’t have the experience it gets dangerous from that point on.” He respects his limitations. “I’m not one for running tyres right down to the edge.”

You can stop wherever you want, get off, even in town. That’s where the motorcycle is really unbeatable

– Vettel

It’s the quieter moments of harmony that Vettel treasures when he’s riding a motorcycle. They can put him in the right frame of mind. “Motorcycle riding gives you a sense of freedom which you don’t get in a car. Your senses take on a different significance. You have no radio, but you don’t need it, either. You smell the surroundings and take more notice of them than in a convertible. You can stop wherever you want, get off, even in town. That’s where the motorcycle is really unbeatable. You’re not strapped into the vehicle like you are in a car. I think it’s a shame that the motorcycle doesn’t have the same status for young people that it once had.”

Discussion turns to more philosophical matters, as so often happens among bikers. “For looks, I find the racing motorcycles very appealing,” says Vettel. “You can simply put one in front of you and admire it, like you would a picture on a wall. Then there are the really beautiful naked bikes, where you see more of the mechanics. That’s what I find so interesting about old bikes: you really get a feel for how they work and how they were built. You can visualise the process much better.

That’s what I find so interesting about old bikes: you really get a feel for how they work and how they were built

– Vettel

"With cars that’s become much more abstract, but with a motorcycle you have the illusion that you could repair it yourself at any time – or at least you’d know where to start. I find it interesting to see how it functions, how propulsion comes about.”

So if you happen to see a young man with a broad grin on a motorbike – old or new, large or small, but definitely a fine-looking ride – give him a friendly wave. It could well be Sebastian Vettel.

Check out the rest of this feature in the November 2013 issue of The Red Bulletin, the global monthly magazine. For access to the international issue, download the free app for iOS or Android now .