Sebastian Vettel to retire from F1 at the end of this season

Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. The German driver will call time on an illustrious career spanning 15 years, 53 wins and 122 podiums.

• 2022 Abu Dhabi GP will be Vettel’s last F1 race
• Brings an end to a 15-year career in F1

Why Vettel is walking away from F1

Following his stint at Ferrari, Vettel joined the rebranded Aston Martin team in 2021. But the team has struggled, more so with the introduction of the new rules this year. This has left both Vettel – whose contract runs out at the end of the year – and teammate Lance Stroll often languishing in the mid-field.

Aston Martin’s executive chairman Lawrence Stroll says the team wanted him to continue racing with them 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.”

Announcing his retirement on his new Instagram page, Vettel cited focusing on his personal life as a major reason for his decision to step away from F1. “Next to racing, I have grown a family and I love being around them,” Vettel said. “I have grown other interests outside of Formula 1. My passion for racing and Formula 1 comes from lots of time spent away from them and takes a lot of energy. Committing to my passion the way I did, and the way I think 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 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, not having to say goodbye, and most importantly, being able to learn from them and letting them inspire me. Children are our future. Further, I feel there is so much to explore and learn about life and about myself.”

“I look forward to race down unknown tracks and I will be finding new challenges,” he added.

Vettel F1 career

Vettel made his F1 debut in a one-off appearance for BMW Sauber at the 2007 United States GP, and was later picked up by Toro Rosso that same year. His 2008 Italian GP victory saw him become F1’s youngest race winner.

He then went on to dominate the F1 scene, picking up four back-to-back titles with Red Bull Racing from 2010-2013. His time at Ferrari (2015 to 2020) saw him fight for the title in 2017 and 2018, but he failed to pick up his fifth title during his stint at the Italian team, before he moved on to Aston Martin in 2021.

A 15-year career in Formula 1 has seen him pick up 53 wins, and he is third on the all-time list of Grand Prix winners, behind only Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91). Incidentally, Vettel’s last F1 appearance – the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP – will also be his 300th F1 race entry.

“He is one of the all-time greats of Formula1, and it has been a privilege to have been able to work with him,” said Lawrence Stroll. "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.”

The shock news of Vettel’s retirement also has major implications on the driver market, with a seat at Aston Martin now open.