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Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel announced that he will be leaving Formula One at the end of the 2022 season.
In Formula One, Sebastian became one of the youngest ever World Champions, winning four consecutive titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013. His first win was in 2008 with Toro Rosso.
He also enjoyed a spell with Ferrari before he went on to race for Aston Martin.
The Aston Martin driver announced his retirement over social media with a video saying;
“I hereby announce my retirement from Formula One at the end of the 2022 season.”
He added: “Probably I should start with a long list of people to thank now but I feel it is more important to explain the reasons behind my decision. 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’s my life off track too.
“Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I very much believe in identity like who we are and how we treat others, rather than what we do. Who am I? I’m Sebastian. Father of three children and husband to a wonderful woman. I am curious and easily fascinated by passionate and skilled people. I am obsessed with perfection. I am tolerant and feel we all have the same rights to live no matter what we look like, where we come from and who we love.
“I love being outside and love nature and its wonders. I’m stubborn and impatient. I can be really annoying. I like to make people laugh. I like chocolate and the smell of fresh bread. My favourite colour is blue. I believe in change and in progress and that every little bit makes a difference. I am an optimist and I believe people are good.
“Next to racing, I have grown a family that I love being around. I have grown other interests outside Formula One. My passion for racing and Formula One comes with a lot of time spent away from them and takes a lot of energy. Committing to my passion the way I did and then I think it is right, does no longer go side by side with my wish to be a great father and husband.”
“The energy it takes to become one with the car and the team to chase perfection takes focus and commitment. 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, and not having to say goodbye.”
Further Comments from Sebastian Vettel
The Aston Martin driver went on to thank his team and the people he worked with in the last few years in the sport.
The German 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. Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team 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. Everyone – Lawrence, Lance, Martin, Mike, the senior managers, the engineers, the mechanics and the rest of the team – is ambitious, capable, expert, committed and friendly, and I wish them all well. 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.
“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. Rather, it is about saying thank you – to everyone – not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula One could not exist.”
Comments from the Aston Martin Team
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and Team Principal Mike Krack also had their comments on the veteran’s retirement.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman: “I want to thank Sebastian from the bottom of my heart for the great work that he has done for Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team over the past year and a half. We made it clear to him that we wanted him to continue with us next year, but in the end he has done what he feels is right for himself and his family, and of course we respect that.
“He has driven some fantastic races for us, and, behind the scenes, his experience and expertise with our engineers have been extremely valuable. He is one of the all-time greats of Formula One, and it has been a privilege to have been able to work with him. He will continue to race for us up to and including the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be his 300th Grand Prix entry. We will give him a fabulous send-off.”
Mike Krack, Team Principal: “Sebastian is a superb driver – fast, intelligent and strategic – and of course we are going to miss those qualities. However, we have all learned from him, and the knowledge that we have gained from working with him will continue to benefit our team long after his departure. Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team is a great project, with unlimited potential, and the groundwork that Sebastian has done last year, and is still doing this year, is crucial. When we become fully competitive – and we will – one of the architects of that future success will be Sebastian, and we will always be grateful to him for that.”
Featured Image Credit: Formula 1