Sebastian Vettel will retire from F1 to spend more time with family

Sebastian Vettel will retire from Formula 1 at the end of this season, saying that he would rather be with his family than race, and dislikes the environmental impact of the sport

The four-time champion and current Aston Martin driver announced his decision in an Instagram video, where he described the commitment it has taken to win 53 grands prix during his 15-year career, which began at BMW-Sauber at the age of 19.

Vettel explained he was looking forward to a life without racing. “There’s so much to explore and learn about life and about myself,” he said.

“My goals have shifted from winning races to seeing my children grow”

“Next to racing, I have grown a family and I love being around them. My passion for racing and Formula 1 comes with 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 a 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, not having to say goodbye and, most importantly, being able to learn from them, to let them inspire me.”

 

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Vettel has been vocal about F1’s need to reduce carbon emissions for the sake of the environment, and earlier this year appeared on BBC’s Question Time, where he described himself as a hypocrite for urging governments and organisations to take action on climate change whilst flying around the world and racing.

In June, Mark Hughes wrote that the hypocrisy could drive him out of the sport, and it is likely to have been a factor in his decision. Vettel implied that he was frustrated by F1’s lack of progress in this area.

“My passion comes with certain aspects that I’ve learned to dislike,” he said in the video. “They might be solved in the future. But the will to apply that change has to grow much much stronger and has to be leading to action today. Talk is not enough and we cannot afford to wait. There is no alternative.”

Vettel signed a two-year contract with Aston Martin in 2021 as the team, under Lawrence Stroll’s ownership, looked to invest and improve. But those results have not yet materialised, and the team followed a difficult 2021 with a more-troubled 2022 season.

He was hinting that he would continue in the sport as recently as the last race in Paul Ricard, even fuelling speculation over a switch to McLaren, but it appears that he has been considering his retirement for some time.

“I love this sport,” said Vettel. “It has been central to my life since I can remember. But as much as there’s life on track, there’s my life off track too” being a racing driver has never been my sole identity.”