Vettel announced this on Thursday in the run-up to the Hungarian Grand Prix on a newly created Instagram account. The 35-year-old German made his debut in 2007 on behalf of Sauber – as a replacement for Robert Kubica – in Formula 1. He became world champion four times in a row on behalf of Red Bull Racing, from 2010 to 2013.
The 53-time Grand Prix winner has been driving for Aston Martin since last season. So after fifteen years, he gives up. The name of his compatriot Mick Schumacher is singing around as his possible successor. Vettel is the driver with the most victories after Lewis Hamilton (103 wins) and compatriot Michael Schumacher (91).
Vettel drove for Ferrari between 2015 and 2020, where he failed to break through Mercedes hegemony. The results at Aston Martin are also not as hoped. “This has been a difficult decision and I thought about it for a long time,” said Vettel. ,,At the end of the year I will take more time to see where my focus will be next. It is clear to me that, as a father, I want to spend more time with my family.”
In April this year, Sebastian Vettel spoke exclusively with De Telegraaf and was very critical of, among other things, the (climate) policy of Formula 1.