F1 legend Sebastian Vettel, who won four successive World Championships between 2010 and 2013, has announced that he will call times on his racing career at the end of the 2022 seasons after spending the last two campaigns in Aston Martin's shirts.
According to Sporting News, F1 star Sebastian Vettel has recently dropped a bombshell as he announced his retirement from the track. He is set to call it quits at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this November, which will mark the sportsman's 300th Grand Prix.
The news of his retirement was not so unexpected, though, as Vettel previously hinted at the possibility. However, the German star only confirmed his quit on Thursday, taking to Instagram to share the news with his 1.9 million followers, who were taken aback by the timing of Vettel's decision. The post, which included a black-and-white video monologue, was Vettel's first activity ever on social media, as he has long expressed his disapproval of it.
According to Skysports, he is still under contract with Aston Martin and will spend the remainder of his final campaign with the team. Earlier this week, he was even linked to McLaren as his new destination after the 2022 season ends. However, Vettel's retirement announcement had shut down any rumors regarding his future.
Why is Sebastian Vettel quitting F1?
In the video, in which Vettel spoke in German, he gave several reasons to justify his decision. The 35-year-old driver said that racing 'has been central to his life' but admitted that he still had other interests off the track. He said:
'I love this sport. 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. Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I very much believe in identity by who we are and how we treat others rather than what we do.'
The legend driver added that his goal 'has shifted', and that he's focusing on spending time with his family and 'passing on his values'.
'Next to racing, I have grown a family, and I love being around them. I have grown other interests outside Formula One. My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing 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.'
Another reason for Vettel's regretful departure is his vocal commitment to saving the environment. He once opened up about how the climate crisis made him 'have doubts about continuing in F1'. In an interview with BBC Question Time on Tuesday, the four-time world winner said he was 'a hypocrite' as he was championing environmental issues and engaging in one of the most gas-guzzling and environmental-harmful sports at the same time.
Sebastian is the third greatest driver of his era
In football, we have always witnessed the ongoing battle to become the Greatest Of All Time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. And in F1, fans have also shared a relatively similar competition between Sebastian Vettel and his most prominent rival, British icon Lewis Hamilton.
Just like Messi and Ronaldo who have dominated the Men's Ballon d'Or for over a decade, Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel pretty much reigned the racing track from 2008 onwards, sharing 10 of the total 13 World Championships together, with Vettel securing four in a row.
Both Hamilton and Vettel made their F1 debuts in 2007, with the German's breakout coming in 2010 when he became the youngest ever driver to win the world title, aged 23 years and 134 days, a feat that still remains unsurpassed. Following his first world championship, Vettel went on a crazy streak to grab another three consecutive world championships for Red Bull. His four world titles also rank him fourth alongside French driver Alain Prost on the list of most championships ever won in the sport's history. He stood only behind Hamilton and his boyhood idol and compatriot, Michael Schumacher - both at seven titles.
In a career that is statistically incredible, Sebastian Vettel also boasts 122 podium appearances and again losing to only Hamilton with 187 and Schumacher with 155. Regarding race wins, the German icon has clocked cup 53 Grand Prix victories, and again standing just behind Hamilton and Schumacher, as reported by SkySports.
Speaking of Vettel's decision, long-term rival and friend Lewis Hamilton said that 'there's no lack of bravery in Sebastian'. The seven-time world champion tweeted:
'Seb, it’s been an honour to call you a competitor and an ever greater honour to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man.'
Seb, it’s been an honour to call you a competitor and an ever greater honour to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man. pic.twitter.com/eHVmOpov2m
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 28, 2022
Meanwhile, Vettel's mentoree - Michael Schumacher's son Mick said:
'He'll leave a big hole behind, that's for sure. It's obviously something that probably hits me a bit more than some others, just because I lose a friend in that sense.'
