This is it. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
Sebastian Vettel of Germany, who made his debut with BMW Sauber in the 2007 United States Grand Prix, revealed the news via his newly created Instagram account. Before the announcement, Vettel had spent his whole F1 career without a social media presence and his first post comes as a powerful announcement and a deep look into Vettel as a human and not a race car driver.
Vettel won all four of his championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 and is third on the all-time list of Grand Prix winners with 53 victories.
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A six-year stint with Ferrari failed to yield a much-coveted fifth title and he has scored just one podium during one-and-a-half years with Aston Martin, where his contract expires at the end of 2022.
Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Vettel – who races alongside Lance Stroll – announced this will be his 15th and final full season in Formula 1.
“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula 1 over the past 15 years – there are far too many to mention and thank,” said Vettel. “Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin driver – and although our results have not been as good as we had hoped, it is very clear to me that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come."
“I hope that the work I did last year and am continuing to do this year will be helpful in the development of a team that will win in the future, and I will work as hard as I can between now and the end of the year with that goal in mind, giving as always my best in the last 10 races.
“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it; at the end of the year I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next; it is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family.
“But today is not about saying goodbye. Rather, it is about saying thank you – to everyone – not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula 1 could not exist.”
Sebastian Vettel of Germany seen during the Formula1 Rolex Grand Prix of Austria at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on July 09, 2022. // Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202207090696 // Usage for editorial use only //
Photo: Getty Images
“Next to racing, I have grown a family who I love being around. I’ve grown other interests outside of Formula One," Vettel said. “My passion with racing and Formula One comes with lots of time spent away from them, and takes a lot of energy."
“Committing to my passion the way I did and the way I think it is right, does no longer go side by side with my wish to be a great father and husband. The energy it takes to become one with the car and the team, to chase perfection takes focus and commitment. My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to see my children grow, passing on my values, helping them up when they fall, listening to them when they need me."
“Not having to say goodbye, and most importantly, being able to learn from them and let them inspire me. Children are our future, further I feel there is so much to explore and learn about life and about myself. Farewell, thanks for letting me share the track with you. I loved every bit of it."
Vettel joined Aston Martin at the start of 2021 from Ferrari, where he had driven since 2015. Vettel spent six years at the famous Italian team hoping to emulate the records of his boyhood hero Michael Schumacher but failed to secure a title with Ferrari.
But his legacy as one of the sport’s most successful drivers was secured during his time at Red Bull, where he won four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013.
Those four titles mean he is tied with Alain Prost as the fourth-most successful F1 driver, behind Juan Manuel Fangio (5) and Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (7 apiece).
To date, Vettel has taken 53 career wins, 38 with Red Bull, 14 with Ferrari, plus his debut win with Toro Rosso at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.