Formula One 2022: Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to retire at end of season

On the track their rivalry was as fierce as any in the sport, but off of it Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel shared a bond with both using their platforms to fight for social change.

After years of shunning social media, Sebastian Vettel, the four-times world champion, shocked his followers yesterday (Thursday) by finally opening an Instagram account – a move that came as more of a surprise than his announcement by video shortly afterwards in which he said that he will retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old German, who races for Aston Martin and won all of his titles for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, had hinted several times this year that he was considering his future in the sport.

Lewis Hamilton led the tributes from his fellow drivers, who all praised Vettel’s professionalism and intelligence, as well as his work highlighting issues that matter to him off the track.

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Lewis Hamilton has paid tribute to Sebastian Vettel after the German star announced his plans to retire from F1. Picture: Albert Gea/Pool via Getty Images

The timing was such that the news broke just as the F1 paddock was arriving at the Budapest track for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break.

Hamilton described Vettel as “one of the very best”. “There’s no lack of bravery in Sebastian,” the 37-year-old said. “He has been one of the very, very few in racing history who has stood for much more than himself.

“He has used his voice for things that I’ve stood for, for things he’s believed in and for the greater good. A really beautiful human being.

“[It’s] sad to have arrived today and seen the news, but I know what he goes on to do will be even better.”

Vettel married his childhood sweetheart, Hanna, with whom he has three children, in 2019 and he said that his family was one of the reasons he had decided to retire.

“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it,” he said. “At the end of the year I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next; it is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family.

“For every sportsman and woman probably the biggest challenge is waiting for us while we decide to do other things. That’s what I’m facing and I’m scared of what’s coming. It might be a hole, and I don’t know how deep it is and whether I’ll get out of it.

“But I have lots of support and people who have supported me along the way and will continue to help me and give me direction and guidance.”

Vettel’s first title made him the youngest F1 champion in history at 23 years and 134 days – a record that still stands. His most recent race victory came with Ferrari at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2019, to bring his tally of wins to 53, the third highest in F1 history, behind Michael Schumacher (91) and Hamilton (103).

This combination of pictures shows Sebastian Vettel celebrating his F1 victories.

Since joining Aston Martin in 2021, Vettel has struggled at times to even get out of the first part of qualifying and has been unable to hide his frustration.

However, that is not the only reason he is leaving the sport, and he said that his environmental concerns had also played a role.

“Seeing the world changing and seeing the future in a very threatened position for all of us, especially for generations to come, I understand that part of my passion and my job is coming with things that I am not a fan of,” he said.

“Obviously, travelling the world, racing cars and burning resources, literally, are things that I cannot look away from. Once you see these things and you are aware, you can not un-see it.”

It is not known who will replace Vettel, though Haas’s Mick Schumacher – the 23-year-old son of Michael – has been linked with a move.

Sebastian Vettel fans hold up placards upon his arrival at his home town Heppenheim after Vettel became the youngest driver to win the Formula One world drivers' championship following his 2010 victory. Picture: Daniel Roland AFP

Vettel’s contract was due to expire this season. Aston Martin made it clear yesterday (Thursday) that they had wanted him to stay but that it had been the German’s decision to quit.

In recent years Vettel has become increasingly outspoken on environmental and social issues and in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. He often champions these causes during race weekends: in Miami in May he wore a T-shirt which said the 2060 race would be held under water because of climate change and, when racing in countries where it is illegal to be homosexual, he wears rainbow laces on his boots.

This article originally appeared in The Times and has been reproduced with permission

WILL F1 RETIREMENT BOMBSHELL PAVE WAY FOR PIASTRI?

The Formula One rumour mill has gone into over drive following the retirement of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel with Australia’s Oscar Piastri tipped for the seat.

The German Aston Martin driver announced on Thursday that 2022 would be his final season in the sport as he looks to spend more time with his family.

No sooner had the news broken were fans speculating who would replace Vettel with Piastri top of the list.

The Melbourne-born driver, who has been on the sidelines this season with Alpine, is desperate for a drive in 2023 and Vettel’s departure opens up yet another opportunity.

With Fernando Alonso widely tipped to sign a one-year extension with Alpine, Piastri has already been linked with a seat at Williams however Aston Martin may prove a better option for the 21-year-old.

Alpine CEO, Laurent Rossi, said: “With Fernando, his contract is over this year. So obviously, we are discussing with him. We are building scenarios for him and Oscar.

“The idea is that the two of them are worthy drivers, and we would love them to drive next year. We are working on scenarios for both of them to drive, and scenarios that are very plausible, very sensible, and that we imagine would satisfy both drivers.”

Vettel’s departure could spark a battle of the Aussie drivers with some sources suggesting Daniel Ricciardo could in fact move to Aston Martin and Piastri replace him at McLaren.

Ricciardo has endured a torrid 18 months with the papaya team, consistently out-performed by teammate Lando Norris.

Nyck de Vries and Mick Schumacher are the other names being linked with Aston Martin.

END OF THE LINE FOR VETTEL

After 17 season, Vettel said the decision to walk away from F1 was tough but ultimately important as he looks to spend more time with his young family.

“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 said.

“Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin driver — and, although our results have not been as good as we had hoped, it is very clear to me that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come.

“I have really enjoyed working with such a great bunch of people and I wish them all well.

German driver Sebastian Vettel Vettel won four consecutive world championships and 53 wins in Formula One.

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

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

“I hope that the work I did last year and am continuing to do this year will be helpful in the development of a team that will win in the future, and I will work as hard as I can between now and the end of the year with that goal in mind, giving as always my best in the last 10 races.

Vettel and his Aston Martin Formula One team have been struggling this season.

Australia’s Mark Webber and Vettel raced together for several years at Red Bull.

“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it; at the end of the year I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next; it is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family. But today is not about saying goodbye.

Vettel was fined for entering the track without permission and riding a scooter after his car caught fire in practice at this year’s Australian Grand Prix.

“Rather, it is about saying thank you — to everyone — not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula One could not exist.”

An incredible driver, Vettel won four consecutive world championships with Red Bull between 2010-2013. He retires third on the all-time list of Grand Prix winners, with 53 victories, behind only Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91).

Aston Martin are yet to announce who will replace him in 2023.

Originally published as Formula One 2022: Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to retire at end of season