Retirement – ​​Highlights of Sebastian Vettel’s career

This Thursday, August 28, Sebastian Vettel has just confirmed the doubts that many people have had since the start of the season. The four-time world champion will retire in Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. After 15 and a half seasons in Formula 1, the German bows out after having left his mark on the discipline. From his first race with BMW Sauber to his last career podium to his victory at Silverstone with Ferrari in 2018. 

2007 United States Grand Prix: Early debut at BMW Sauber

With his role as third driver, Sebastian Vettel closely followed the evolution of BMW Sauber in Formula 1. But he certainly did not expect to land in one of the twenty seats on the grid at the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis in 2007. Called up to replace Robert Kubica, the German will very quickly reveal the extent of his potential at the age of 19. By finishing in 8th place, Sébastian Vettel held until 2015 the record for the youngest driver in the history of Formula 1 to score a point at 19 years 11 months and 14 days. 

Sebastian Vettel's first Grand Prix in 2007 in Formula 1. ©ERIC VARGIOLU / DPPI

2007 Chinese Grand Prix: First burst of brilliance

After training at BMW Sauber, Sebastian Vettel takes the big step by joining the Scuderia Toro Rosso in the shoes of the titular pilot. At the wheel of his car, no one really expects him to occupy the top ranks. Yet this is exactly what he will do in China in 2007. Qualified in 12th position, then penalized by 5 places on the grid, the German will manage to move up to 4th place. A first stroke of brilliance with Toro Rosso which calls for others. 

2008 Italian Grand Prix: In the big leagues

It is on the grounds of Toro Rosso that Sebastian Vettel will register for the first time in his career on the Formula 1 prize list. At the wheel of the Toro Rosso STR3, the German will achieve a perfect shot in the rain. In pole position ahead of Heikki Kovalainen and Mark Webber, the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver will manage his lead to score his first victory in Formula 1 at Monza on September 14, 2008. 

2009 Chinese Grand Prix: A bull already tamed

After proving that he was capable of winning in Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel will continue his trajectory by joining the parent team, Red Bull Racing. Alongside Mark Webber, the German will only need 3 Grands Prix to achieve his first success with his new team. In China, on April 19, 2009, in addition to adding a second row to his list of achievements, Sebastian Vettel will allow Red Bull Racing to climb to the top of the podium for the first time in their history. Mark Webber's second place also marks the brand's first double on the bull in the premier discipline. 

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The first crown

In 2010, Sebastian Vettel was the championship leader for just one day, but it was a good one. With a very close championship, Abu Dhabi will be the scene of the young German's first crowning. However, before the start of the Grand Prix, he did not start in the favorite position with 15 points behind Fernando Alonso, leader in the championship. But with Mark Webber's error, Fernando Alonso's strategic choice and the unexpected help of Vitaly Petrov, Sebastian Vettel becomes the youngest world champion in history at 23 years 4 months and 11 days. A record still unmatched in Formula 1.

Sebastian Vettel's first title at Red Bull ©ERIC VARGIOLU / DPPI

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix: The passing of the baton

As in 2010, the world champion title for the 2012 season will be decided in the final Grand Prix. This time it is in the shoes of the leader that the German attacks the last round. Everything went well in qualifying with a 4th place on the grid against Fernando Alonso's 7th. But everything will get complicated at the start of the race after his collision with Bruno Senna. Sebastian Vettel is forced to make a comeback from last place if he wants to obtain his third world crown. The Spaniard, once the race finished in 2nd position, was condemned to wait for the German's result. But the Red Bull driver is determined to get his hat-trick and finally finishes 6th in the Brazilian Grand Prix. A result sufficient to become the youngest triple world champion in history at 25 years old. That same day, Michael Schumacher competing in his last Grand Prix of his career. The handover is carried out among the German pilots. 

Second half of the 2013 season: Unstoppable

In 2013, Sebastian Vettel is determined to secure his quadruple earlier in the season. After a good first start to the year, the Red Bull driver returns after the summer break ready to move into another dimension. His mission will begin at the Belgian Grand Prix. At Spa-Francorchamps, Sebastian Vettel will ride for the 5th time this season. But from the 11th round, the Red Bull driver will become untouchable and will reign supreme over Formula 1. Monza, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, etc. Nobody can stop him and in Brazil, Sebastian Vettel will complete a historic second half of the season with 9 victories in as many Grand Prix. This series will allow him to equal that of Alberto Ascari between 1952 and 1953. 

Indian Grand Prix 2011, 2012, 2013: Vettel, king of India

Throughout his career, Sebastian Vettel has always had his favorite circuits. But there is one track where he is the only one to have registered his name on the prize list, the Indian Grand Prix. Appearing in 2011 on the calendar, the Red Bull driver has always won on the Buddh international circuit. In 2013, India was obviously one of the places where the German left no crumb to his competitors. By dominating the three practice sessions, qualifying and the race, the Red Bull driver secured his third crown in the best possible way. 

2015 Malaysian Grand Prix: Life in red

In 2015, Sebastian Vettel will turn a page in his career. The German decides to leave Red Bull to join Scuderia Ferrari. As with Red Bull, the four-time world champion will quickly acclimatize to his new team. After a first running-in round, Sebastian Vettel will achieve his first success under his new colors in Malaysia. Qualified in 2nd position on the Sepang circuit behind Hamilton. But in the race, he will succeed in erasing the Silver Arrows to return to the top step of the podium for the first time since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix. For the Scuderia, Sebastian Vettel's victory puts an end to its drought started the day after the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix. 

Sebastian Vettel's first victory at Ferrari. ©Photo Eric Vargiolu / DPPI

2018 British Grand Prix: On conquered ground

During his six seasons with the Scuderia, Sebastian Vettel had one goal, to succeed in offering Ferrari a world title. Following in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher, it is in 2018 that the German will be closest to seeing his dreams come true. During the season, the Ferrari driver will engage in a battle with Lewis Hamilton for the crown. But at Silverstone, Sebastian Vettel had achieved a top performance. On the land of the Briton who seemed untouchable, the four-time world champion jumped at the start to take control of the race. After resisting the return of Valterri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, the German wins for the first time since 2009 at Silverstone and above all puts an end to 4 years of British domination. A turning point then seems to have taken place in the championship. But two weeks later, his “cruelest” error of his career will condemn his season. 

ALSO READ > OFFICIAL: Sebastian Vettel to retire at end of season