Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team driver Sebastian Vettel has decided to retire at the end of the 2022 season, having enjoyed a glittering motorsport career.
The winner of four Formula One Drivers’ World Championships, he lies third on the all-time list of Grand Prix winners, with 53 victories, behind only Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91).
Sebastian Vettel:
“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula One over the past 15 years – there are far too many to mention and thank.
“Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team driver – and, although our results have not been as good as we had hoped, it is very clear to me that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come.”
“I have really enjoyed working with such a great bunch of people. Everyone – Lawrence, Lance, Martin, Mike, the senior managers, the engineers, the mechanics and the rest of the team – is ambitious, capable, expert, committed and friendly, and I wish them all well.
“I hope that the work I did last year and am continuing to do this year will be helpful in the development of a team that will win in the future, and I will work as hard as I can between now and the end of the year with that goal in mind, giving as always my best in the last 10 races.
“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it; at the end of the year I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next; it is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family. But today is not about saying goodbye.
“Rather, it is about saying thank you – to everyone – not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula One could not exist.”
Looks like Mick will be moving up, or down depending on your perspective.
Just curious on your thought line on that. Haas is currently a much better package than AM, their sister is Ferrari which has a better power plant than Merc does at the moment. So what would compel Mick to make a basically lateral if not back step to AM?
(foot note: I’d love it if they brought in HULK) ~X8
Doesn’t make sense to me either, just a rumour I heard
So, who fills the void left behind? Sure, there may be shifting personnel all around, but that will still leave an empty chair that needs to be filled.
I have to say was never a massive Vettel fan at Red Bull, not because of the team but just how he came across.
However i really want him to win/do well since because he seems a great guy and has set a fantastic example to young people on how to behave and carry himself, It would be great if he could get one last podium!
I can see him as a future politician more than any other driver.
He does like farming so maybe he’ll be this generations Jody Scheckter. :)
Forever remembered as ‘the German’ to Top Gear viewers during his peak. Great career and also seems to have his head on the right way – hopefully a voice of reason and change going forward.