Sebastian Vettel has announced his retirement from Formula 1 when the current 2022 season ends. The four-time world champion and 53-time Grand Prix winner opened an Instagram account today, confirming the news with a video.
he was surprised, without being capital in the paddock, because he said in France he said at a press conference: “I would like to continue competing”; It hasn’t been that much among the prominent media in Budapest. After all, his attitude since he came to Aston Martin in 2021 has been that of someone who didn’t seem interested in F1 anymore. His activist speech in causes ‘ecofriendly’ and contrary to motorsport, and the boredom in the meetings of pilots, like the one in Austria three weeks ago, from where he left without warning, presaged an outcome of this Type.
A free slot for 2023
On the other hand, his departure opens a new stage on the grid. Vettel is now in one of the teams that are investing the most in resources, such as Aston Martin, with its new factory in Silverstone and that, since the arrival of Lawrence Stroll, as owner aspires to enter among the greats. Seb was not the driver they needed to give the big boost they needed and the car from the regulation change, the AMR02, was a disaster.
It is inevitable to think of Fernando Alonso as a candidate for that seat. now that he has not yet closed his renewal with Alpine. It is an alternative and it seems that it would not be frowned upon by Aston Martin as a vault key to boost its desired jump to the top. Another thing is that the offer that they can make convinces the Spaniard. It may not be the only alternative that the two-time champion has on the table right now, who, unlike Vettel, is still 100% focused on F1 on the weekend of his 41st birthday.
A message of catharsis
“I hereby announce my retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. I should probably start with a long list of people to thank, but I think it is more important to explain the reasons that have led me to take this decision. I love this sport. It has been the center of my life for as long as I can remember, but just as there is life within sight, there is my life off the track,” he says in his multimedia letter.
“Being a pilot has never been my only identity. I think identity is 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 talented and passionate people I am obsessed with perfection I am tolerant and feel that we all have the same rights to live no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love I love being outside and I love nature and its wonders. I’m stubborn and impatient. I can be annoying. I like to make people laugh. I love chocolate and how fresh bread smells. My favorite color is blue. I believe in change and progress and that a little makes a difference”, shared if introducing a new person and leaving the F1 driver behind.
Vettel: Change of priorities
“My goals have changed from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow up and passing on values, helping them when they fall, listening to them when they need it, not having to say goodbye to them, and most importantly, learning from them and letting them inspire me. Children are our future. Beyond that, I think there is so much to explore and learn about life and myself.”
“Speaking of the future, I think we live in very decisive times and I think that how we are all going to act these years will decide our lives. My passion involves certain aspects that I have learned to hate. They may change in the future, but the will to apply changes. it must be much stronger and it must lead to action today. Talking is not enough and we cannot afford to wait. There is no alternative. The race is already underway,” he says in a tone that borders on the apocalyptic.
“My best race? It is yet to come. I believe in moving forward and turning the page. Time is a one-way road and I want to live by the times. Looking back is only going to slow you down. I look forward to racing on unknown tracks and I will find new challenges”, he predicts about his future.
“The footprints I left on the track will remain until time and rain wash them away. New footprints will be left. Tomorrow belongs to those who are working on it today. The next corner is in good hands, as the new generation is already has made an appearance. I think there is still a race to win. I say goodbye and thank you for letting me share the track with you. I loved every second, “Sebastian concluded in his message.
