After more than a decade and a half, Sebastian Vettel has had enough of Formula 1. The four-time world champion will end his career after this season. The 35-year-old announced this Thursday before the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest.
“The decision to retire was a difficult one for me and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it,” Vettel said in a statement from his Aston Martin racing team, quickly naming one of the reasons for his decision: “It’s very clear to me that I, as a father, would like to spend more time with my family.”
Vettel is involved off the track
He was the winner on the podium 53 times. However, his wedding at Red Bull with the title triumphs in a row was quite a while ago. Nothing came of an era at Ferrari – like his great idol Michael Schumacher – instead he was ingloriously retired from the Scuderia. After two years at Aston Martin, Vettel has had enough. The father of three children has recently made more headlines for his political commitment, the fight for human rights and the environment than shone with successes on the racetrack.
The hopes for improvement in the green racing car of his fifth Formula 1 employer are not fulfilled even in the second year. The native of Heppenheim is currently only ranked 14th in the World Championship, having scored just 15 points in the previous twelve races. It’s been a long time since his last win, it was on September 22, 2019 in Singapore. He won his last world title in 2013. What followed was a steady descent.
With his great successes, Vettel remains one of the most decorated drivers in Formula 1. Only Lewis Hamilton has won more titles in the current field. Behind the Brit and Michael Schumacher (both 7) and Juan Manuel Fangio (5) follows Vettel in the all-time list of the best together with Alain Prost.
Vettel’s announcement also means that another German driver will be missing next year. It remains to be seen whether there will be one at all: Vettel buddy Mick Schumacher has not yet received a new contract. The fans’ hopes that Vettel could start again in a German team if Porsche and Audi entered the 2026 season have ended. There should not be a resignation from Vettel’s resignation. He has already emphasized this repeatedly and clearly.
