Sebastian Vettel has decided to give up on his Formula 1 Championship ambitions, by announcing his retirement from the sport.
Vettel is only 35 years old but has quite the F1 career behind him. He was at the helm of the Red Bull dominance, from to 2010 to 2013, before the age of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
While Vettel’s four World Championships came in the Energy drink car, his biggest goal was getting a fifth title in a Ferrari.
“When I was a kid, Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol and now it’s an incredible honor to finally get the chance to drive a Ferrari,” Vettel said to NDTV Sport back in 2014.
Daniel reflects on his time with former teammate Sebastian Vettel. 👇😊pic.twitter.com/S4AWN9y7Z7
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 28, 2022
An unfortunate time with Ferrari
Vettel joined the Scuderia in 2015, and in the five years spent in the Scarlet box, they played second, and sometimes third fiddle to Mercedes and former team, Red Bull. His last year at Ferrari was the most challenging, as Ferrari fell further and further behind the competition. He capped off his time with Ferrari ending 13th on the Championship standings.
Following the disappointment with the Italian manufacturers, Sebastian Vettel moved to Aston Martin ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season. He ended that season in 12th place on the standings.
Family Values
The fact that he hadn’t been in a competitive car probably made his decision to retire a lot easier. However, Vettel confirmed that he no longer wants his career in F1 to interfere with the time he could and should be spending with his family.
“I love this sport,” said Vettel in his official retirement announcement video.
“It has been central to my life since I can remember. But as much as there is life on track, there is my life off track too.”
“Next to racing, I have grown a family and I love being around them.”
My passion for 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.”
Watch:
There is still a way to go in the current F1 season. This weekend is round 13 in a 22-round season. Matters will be settled on the Hungaroring, where Vettel is a two-time winner.
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