Trainer leaves Vettel for ice hockey team

The trainer singled out by Sebastian Vettel for special praise after the Red Bull driver won his second Formula One title this year has decided to return to Finland to coach a women's ice hockey team.

The trainer singled out by Sebastian Vettel for special praise after the Red Bull driver won his second Formula One title this year has decided to return to Finland to coach a women's ice hockey team.

HT Image

Vettel's spokeswoman confirmed that Tommi Parmakoski, a former hockey player who coached at Finland's Kuortane Sports Institute, would not be the German's physiotherapist when the next season started in March.

The 24-year-old champion paid tribute to the Finn after he won this year's title in Japan in October with four races to spare.

"I think one person that really stands out this year is the person I spend most of my time with during the year. It's my trainer Tommi Parmakoski," Vettel said then.

Vettel became the sport's youngest double world champion this year, winning 11 of the 19 races and starting 15 from pole position.

Pérez-Sala is HRT's new team principal
Madrid: Former Formula One driver Luis Pérez-Sala was appointed the team principal of Hispania Racing Team (HRT) after the exit of Collin Kolles.