Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is retiring and will no longer compete in 2023.
There has been speculation for some time, now Sebastian Vettel has provided clarity: At the end of the 2022 season, the four-time world champion will end the formula. The end was already in sight, and the long-term sporting low of his racing team was probably only one reason for his resignation.
His goals have shifted, Vettel says, “from winning races and world championships to seeing my kids grow up, teaching them my values, helping them when they stumble, listening to them when they need me, not all the time.” See you soon!” and, most importantly, learn from them and be inspired by them.” As a father, he wants to spend more time with his children.
At the same time, Vettel made it clear that his love for motorsport had not expired. For as long as he can remember, this has been the center of his life. But there is also life next to the race track. “Being a racing driver was never my only identity.” Vettel has been committed to environmental protection for some time. “We live in decisive times. How we shape the next few years is crucial. Talking is not enough. There is no alternative.” He recently drove a 1922 race car using e-fuels.
Successful career
In terms of sport, Sebastian Vettel was never able to fully build on the most successful years at Red Bull. He has been in Formula 1 since 2007 and scored his first points in 2008. He achieved his first victory in 2009, and the following year the first of a total of four drivers’ world championships in the premier class. In 2015 he switched to Ferrari to win more titles like his idol Michael Schumacher. That didn’t work, but he was close in 2017 and 2018 as Vice World Champion.
In 2020 he was rudely terminated by Ferrari and replaced by Carlos Sainz. Vettel switched to Aston Martin, but there were no major successes there. Most recently, he finished second at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Sixth place was the best result this season.
victories unattainable
In addition to the desire to spend more time with the family and to be more involved in environmental protection than before, the sporting downturn may also have ultimately contributed to saying goodbye to Formula 1. Vettel had always emphasized that he at least wanted to drive victories, the long-term goal was always another title in Formula 1. He and his team are currently a long way from that. In the drivers’ championship, Vettel is 14th after twelve out of 22 races with 15 points. In a normal race, even the points are out of reach of the car. His teammate Lance Stroll involuntarily proves that: He is currently 18th in the championship.
The lack of prospects for victories or at least the fight for them should have made a decisive contribution to Vettel’s decision to end his career. After a disappointing 2021, things continued to go down this season and there is nothing to suggest that Aston Martin will succeed in sporting terms. Vettel’s last win was in Singapore in 2019. With 53 victories so far, he is the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1 behind Hamilton (103) and Schumacher (91). However, the performance of the current car suggests that there will be no further victories.
(mfz)
