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Sebastian Vettel is retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the season because it is no longer compatible with his personal life and he wants to prioritise his family.
The four-time world champion will end one of F1’s most illustrious careers at the end of the 2022 season.
Vettel has decided not to sign a new contract with Aston Martin and explained why in a lengthy, scripted but personal video statement on his newly-created Instagram account.
He said: “Next to racing, I have grown a family and I love being around them. I have grown other interests outside Formula 1.
“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 no longer goes side by side with my wish to be a great father and husband.
“The energy it takes to become one with the car and the team, to chase perfect, 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 and let them inspire me.
“Children are our future. Further, I feel there is so much to explore and learn. About life and myself.”
Vettel’s statement started with an emphasis on “identity” and he listed various personal details about himself.
Being a “father of three children and husband to a wonderful woman” opened that section but he also described himself as “curious and easily fascinated by passionate or skilled people”, “obsessed with perfection” and “feel we all have the same rights to live, no matter what we look like, where we come from, and who we love”.
“I love being outside and love nature and its wonders,” Vettel said.
“I’m stubborn and impatient. I can be really annoying. I like to make people laugh. I like chocolate and the smell of fresh bread. My favourite colour is blue.
“I believe in change and progress and that every little bit makes a difference.
“I am an optimist and believe people are good.”
This took Vettel into themes that have become increasingly familiar in the latter stages of his F1 career.
“I feel we live in very decisive times,” said Vettel, who has become increasingly outspoken on environmental matters.
“And how we all shape these next years will determine our lives.
“My passion comes with certain aspects that I’ve learned to dislike. 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. The race is under way.”
Vettel ended his statement by stressing that he wanted to move forwards because “time is a one-way street”.
He said he will find “new challenges” and signed off by saying: “I believe there is still a race to win. Farewell and thanks for letting me share the track with you. I loved every bit of it.”
