Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will retire from F1 at the end of 2022 season.
Vettel’s decision comes after 16 seasons racing in the sport, having scored one point on his race debut for BMW Sauber at 2007 US Grand Prix as a replacement driver after Robert Kubica had suffered a huge crash at that year’s Canadian Grand Prix.
BMW Sauber had previously hired Vettel in 2006 as a Friday Practice driver for the final five race weekends of that season, which he continued for the opening two rounds of 2007 season.
Vettel has since gone on to race for Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin during which he claimed 53 race victories in total, plus four consecutive F1 titles between 2010-13.
Speaking about his decision to retire, Vettel paid tribute to everyone who had supported him across his F1 career, as he said: “I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula One over the past 15 years – there are far too many to mention and thank.”
Vettel went on to praise Aston Martin for their progress since he joined the team last season despite difficult results, as he iterated “… that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come.”
On what he wishes his F1 legacy to be, Vettel graciously stated that he hopes that his current work will help Aston Martin fight for future victories, as he vowed to “work as hard as I can between now and the end of the year with that goal in mind,” to prepare the team for their next step.
Vettel also noted that his decision to retire had been “difficult” but will take time away from the sport to focus on his future plans, whilst spending time with his family.
Although this announcement is bound to bring sadness at the end of an era for F1, Vettel remained upbeat as he concluded: “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 One could not exist.”
Aston Martin Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll meanwhile praised Vettel for his “extremely valuable experience and expertise” at the team and added that he had offered Vettel a contract extension for next season, yet has vowed to “respect” the four-time champion’s decision to retire.
Stroll proceeded to hail Vettel as one of F1’s “all-time greats” with the German set to retire after his 300th F1 entry in Abu Dhabi across weekend of 18-20 November.
Team Principal, Mike Krack who only joined the team at the start of this season meanwhile described Vettel as a “fast, intelligent and strategic” driver who will be missed, despite having learned plenty of knowledge from him which will benefit the team in the long-term.
Vettel’s former team, Red Bull took to Twitter with their own message of thanks for the driver who led the team to four of their five driver titles to date.
Danke, Seb ? Cheers for the great times and the four World Championships ???? pic.twitter.com/Z2D2igIJg1
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 28, 2022
Vettel’s retirement news also attracted tributes from across the F1 paddock and beyond on Twitter.
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
It’s been an honour to share so many memories with you in Formula 1. Looking forward to enjoying the last few races together in the paddock.
Ti vogliamo bene, #Seb5 ❤️
Best of luck for your future challenges in life ? #essereFerrari? @f1 pic.twitter.com/JiLO6WiowX— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 28, 2022
thanks for all the memories & bringing us our first win, Seb! ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/zjVT7otipx
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) July 28, 2022
A lover of F1 history who has enjoyed a remarkable career ?
Congratulations on all your achievements, Seb. Enjoy your retirement! ?#WeAreWilliams pic.twitter.com/616DYYUSWf
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) July 28, 2022
Legend status. ? Congratulations on a remarkable career, Sebastian Vettel.
A champion on and off the track. pic.twitter.com/KU6fZABpNA
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 28, 2022
Forever a legend of the sport. We will miss you dearly. Danke Seb. pic.twitter.com/F9KfX9Vjqo
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) July 28, 2022
An incredible career and one of the best driver I’ve raced with. And Seb is one of the best person you can meet. F1 will miss you my friend https://t.co/oYGMcykwxW
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) July 28, 2022
I’m so sad that you’re leaving, but at the same time excited for you and this new chapter of your life. You’ve been and still are such an important person to me and I’m thankful for our friendship. pic.twitter.com/1iFmlxxgyQ
— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) July 28, 2022
Enjoy your retirement Seb, you’re a true F1 legend! You’ll be missed mate. pic.twitter.com/TgWJA6i2vq
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) July 28, 2022
from the pot noodle eating, British comedy watching, fast as lightning teenager to the father, husband, four times World Champion and environmental activist..we are proud to have been a small part of your story
enjoy the next chapter…
?#THEREISSTILLARACETOWIN pic.twitter.com/6OE03O6RVn
— Carlin (@CarlinRacing) July 28, 2022
The thing about Sebastian Vettel’s retirement is that you really could see him doing almost anything next. Team management, commentary/punditry, politics. All would fit. What a great F1 career he’s had.
— Alex Jacques (@AlexJacquesF1) July 28, 2022
And there goes Sebastian Vettel! Well, not now, at the end of the season. It’s going to be 300 GP entries and out for a man who will be much missed missed in the paddock and very much on the race track. pic.twitter.com/24Gx5k6Apq
— David Croft (@CroftyF1) July 28, 2022
Farewell Seb, It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to witness your F1 career and many successes. Congratulations on everything and good luck with the next chapter of your life, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more from you. MB https://t.co/rBKbjNrrFa
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) July 28, 2022
THANK YOU SEB!! ????
Let’s finish this season on a high with some proper racing!!
–#Carlossainz pic.twitter.com/Sl5GCjzrab
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 28, 2022
It has been an absolute pleasure and a great honor to have shared all these years alongside a person like you.
You are definitely one of the reasons why I fell in love with this sport and you have always been one of my main references, both on and off the racing track.
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 28, 2022
I will always cherish every moment we’ve spent together and I really look forward to the many more to come.
I’m sure this next chapter is going to be as thrilling and enriching as the previous one and I truly wish you and your family all the best for the future.
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 28, 2022
Aston Martin will announce Vettel’s replacement in due course.
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