Vettel surpasses the three-hour threshold in his first London Marathon.

      "I’m still thrilled and incredibly happy to have crossed the finish line."

      Sebastian Vettel showcased a remarkable amateur performance in the London Marathon, finishing the race in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 8 seconds. The retired four-time world champion’s debut translates to a pace of slightly over 4 minutes and 14 seconds per kilometre, easily surpassing the symbolic three-hour mark.

      "It felt like it was dragging on for quite a while, and since it was my first time here, I didn’t know what to anticipate," the former Red Bull and Ferrari driver shared. "I really enjoyed that initial experience - I’m still thrilled and very happy to have reached the finish line."

      He mentioned that the atmosphere throughout the course was crucial. "You’re constantly running alongside other participants. When I saw Tower Bridge for the second time, I realized I still had a considerable distance to cover, but the crowd was so encouraging, and that truly made a difference."

      Vettel disclosed that he had set a specific target for himself. "I set a very ambitious objective - to finish the race in under 3 hours - and I accomplished it. So, I’m pleased for that reason as well."

      The 38-year-old German used the occasion to support the Brain & Spine Foundation. "Now that I’ve gone through it, I can wholeheartedly recommend that everyone give it a try themselves," Vettel concluded.