Sebastian Vettel, who has never been represented on any social networks, this week started an official Instagram page. Only one of the first entries there was dedicated to the fact that the 35-year-old racer leaves Formula 1.
Recently, the German racer has become fond of environmental themes, which are increasingly difficult to reconcile with the performances behind the wheel of a 1000-horsepower car. The results of his team Aston Martin in the season-2022 also did not inspire optimism.
“The decision to end performances was difficult, I have long pondered over it,” Vettel is quoted by the press service of Astin Martin. – At the end of the year I would like to spend more time to set new goals. They are very clear to me: to be a father – I want to spend more time with his family.
But today I’m not saying goodbye. Instead I would like to thank everyone, including the fans, without whose passionate support Formula 1 simply could not exist.”
Sebastian Vettel History
Vettel made his F1 debut in 2007, racing once for BMW-Sauber, and then enjoyed a dizzying career at Toro Rosso and Red Bull, becoming the youngest ever Grand Prix winner and the youngest ever world champion – a title he still holds today.
He was unstoppable in the seasons 2010-13, when he won four straight titles, and finished that stretch with a record series of nine Grand Prix won – such a thing in F1 has not been possible for anyone in the history of either before or after him.
With the change of regulations in 2014, the results of Red Bull fell, with the 2015 season Vettel went to Ferrari, but could not lead a legendary team to the title, and then could not withstand the internal competition with a young Charles Leclair.
Since 2021, he has competed for Aston Martin, in which he climbed to the podium of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last season.
“I want to sincerely thank Sebastian for the amazing work he has done for Aston Martin over the last year and a half,” said team owner Laurence Stroll. – We made it clear to him that we want to continue to work together next year, but he decided to do what he thinks is right for him and his family. And we respect that decision.
He’s done some fantastic racing for us, and behind the scenes his experience and knowledge has been incredibly valuable to our engineers. He’s one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, and it’s been an honor to work with him.
He will continue to drive for us until the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be his 300th championship race. And there we will give him an unforgettable farewell.
A total of Sebastian to date – 53 race wins (the third result in the history), 57 pole and 38 best laps. He has earned more than three thousand points and is second only to Lewis Hamilton on this indicator.
Will Seb’s career end there? Are you sure?
According to Dr. Marko and Christian Horner, the four-time world champion has all the necessary qualities to succeed in Formula 1 in his new capacity
“He’s annoyingly good.” Red Bull saw Vettel as boss
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix drew a line under Sebastian Vettel’s long and successful career in Formula 1. Over 16 years, the German has held a total of 299 races, won 53 of them and won four championship titles.
The pilot did not rule out that in the future he will return to the championship, but already in a different role. Racing consultant Red Bull Helmut Marco, who at one time stood at the origins of the success of Seb, said that the team from Milton Keynes is already preparing for such a development.
“It’s not at all impossible that he will become one of the top managers,” the Austrian told Sky Sports Germany.
Vettel held talks with Marco and RBR chief Christian Horner on Saturday after qualifying at Yas Marina. The consultant explained what was discussed: “It was a normal conversation. I think if he wants to try out the role of the head, it will succeed. We just threw a seed in the ground, now we’ll see where it goes.”
Helmut added: “He definitely has the potential for the job. And also – a very good temperament.
Horner was even more specific: “Sebastian is one of those people who are annoyingly good at everything he does. And if he decides to choose this career, then on the bridge of the team will also prove themselves.
He understands people and understands their value. He knows how to see the contributions everyone makes to the overall success. But the decision as to what he wants to do is entirely up to him.
Red Bull made it clear they would be willing to offer Vettel an appropriate position.
“We heard his thoughts, we have two teams, we are open to cooperation,” said Marco. – At the same time Sebastian is important to remember one important difference [from the work of the pilot]: the day of the manager begins earlier, ends later, and earns only a small fraction of the fee of the racer.
From 2023, another driver who previously left the team will return to Red Bull. Daniel Riccardo, who has won seven Grand Prix in cars with a red bull, will be in Milton Keynes as a reserve driver.