Vettel reveals identity of his biggest opponent in F1

Austin, Mexico, Interlagos, Yas Marina… and end. Sebastian Vettel is gradually getting closer to his last race in Formula 1. The German will retire at the end of the 2022 season. The four-time world champion will leave the paddock after a long, successful career of 15 years. A few Grands Prix before the end of his adventure in the premier category, Vettel has introspected on his career and his feelings about his journey in Formula 1.

A philosopher, softened by time and experience, Sebastian Vettel explained what F1 could offer him as a driver and as a man. “People can decide if they want to remember me, but I wouldn't be offended if they didn't, says the four-time German world champion. There are many lessons in life and it is up to you whether you choose to learn from them. Being a Formula 1 driver is an accelerated lifestyle. I think this is true for most professional athletes. You have everything that happens in normal life, but it's more compressed in terms of time. I had to mature earlier than my friends at school because I took my racing career very seriously and had to deal with a lot of adults. »

Vettel's biggest opponent? “Lewis Hamilton has always been up there”

In 15 years of Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel has won everything: 4 times world champion, 53 victories with 3 different teams (Toro Rosso, Red Bull et Ferrari) and several records to its credit, notably for precocity. Placed among the legends of motorsport, the German specifies that he has not lost his passion for driving, despite lackluster seasons since 2019. “I still love sports. I still love racing. The decision to retire was difficult, but I've been thinking about it for a while. I know how much commitment this sport requires and I feel like it's the right time to do something else. »

Looking back at the thread of his career in F1, the driver Aston Martin at the same time revealed his biggest rivals in the race. “Lewis [Hamilton], especially when I was at Ferrari. Lewis has always been up there. Before that, it was probably Fernando [Alonso] when he was at Ferrari", said Sebastian Vettel. The Spaniard will also be the German's replacement in 2023. The latter believes that the current driver Alpine doesn't need advice to adapt to Aston Martin. “He’s been here so long and seen so much of everything, everything will be fine.” »

“I want to say thank you to so many people who have made my racing career”

Arriving in 2021 within the British team, at the start of a vast project to play leading roles by 2026, the native of Heppenheim will not have found the expected success. “I don't think these two years were in vain, even if the results and the points we scored were not what we hoped for. I loved working with the team, getting to know different people and different approaches. These two years were very difficult because I was not used to running at the back of the pack. It was a new experience, sometimes difficult, and I realized a lot. »

Author of only one podium over the last two seasons (Baku in 2021), Sebastian Vettel hopes to experience a more glorious jubilee for his last four races in F1. The last four Grands Prix at which fans, spectators and Formula 1 players will not fail to pay tribute to him. “It’s funny, a lot of people say thank you, but I want to thank them more. If I did what I did and no one was watching – no people in the stands, no emotions from the outside – it wouldn't mean anything. I want to say thank you to so many people who have made my racing career, my life, what it is. »

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