Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion announced that he will retire at the end of the 2022 season using his new Instagram account to convey the message.
With his contract at Aston Martin expiring at the end of the 2022 season, the 35 year old German driver has opted to retire from the top tier of motorsport amidst personal reasons which he lists in the video embedded below.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll stated: “I want to thank Sebastian from the bottom of my heart for the great work that he has done for Aston Martin over the past year and a half. We made it clear to him that we wanted him to continue with us 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.”
Stroll further added: “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.”
Starting his career in 2007 for BMW Sauber and with 53 victories to his tally (so far), Sebastian Vettel ranks at third for most all-time Grand Prix wins. The 15 year career has also yielded an impressive four World Drivers’ Championships, which ties the pragmatic driver with Alain Prost behind Fangio, Hamilton and Schumacher.
In addition to the emotive video, the Aston Martin Racing driver stated: “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 1 could not exist.”
The driver who has competed for BMW Sauber F1 Team, Scuderia Toro Rosso (now Scuderia AlphaTauri), Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Ferrari and Aston Martin has become a strong proponent for activism off of the race track and based on the statement of: “My best race is still to come,” we can fathom a guess that he will become more heavily involved in voicing his opinions for greater change.
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