Vettel announced his retirement from F1

Sebastian Vettel, four-time F1 world champion (from 2010 to 2013 consecutively with Red Bull) and current Aston Martin driverannounced this Thursday He will leave Formula at the end of this season. The German pilot announced his decision through his new official Instagram account, which was created especially a few hours before his announcement to the world was to be launched.

“I would like to announce my retirement from F1 at the end of the 2022 season. I could probably start with a long list of people to thank at this point, but I think it is more important to explain the reasons behind the my decision.” his speech in front of the camera in a minimalist video where nothing else appears but him speaking and reflecting. No epic music, pictures of his victories and his four crowns. The important thing in his farewell is his words, but not the past, because there is no personal reference to careers or moments. Instead, he focused his farewell on the future. Sebastian Vettel wants to stay away from racing to focus on himself, prioritizing his children and the challenges that will come, certainly, related to his activist facet in recent years.

Vettel’s speech, complete

“I would like to announce my retirement from F1 at the end of the 2022 season. I could probably start with a long list of people to thank at this moment, but I think it is more important to explain the reasons behind my decision.

“I love this sport. It has been the center of my life for as long as I can remember. But like a life on the track, I also have a life outside. Being a racing driver has never been my only identity .identity by who we are and how we treat others rather than what we do. Who am I? I am Sebastian, a father of three and husband to a wonderful woman. I am curious and easily fascinated by passionate or skilled people. I am obsessed with perfection. I am tolerant and feel that we all have the same right to live, no matter what we look like, where we come from and who we love. I love being in outside and I love nature and its wonders . I am stubborn and impatient. I am really annoying. I like to laugh. I like chocolate and the smell of fresh bread. My favorite color is blue. I believe in change and progress and every little thing makes a difference. I am an optimist and I believe that people are good.

In addition to the career, I raised a family and wanted to be with them. I developed other interests outside of F1. My passion for racing and F1 comes with a lot of time spent away from them and it takes a lot of energy. Trusting my passion as I did and as I thought was right no longer aligned with my desire to be a good father and husband. The energy required to be one with the car and the team to chase perfection requires focus and commitment.

My goals range from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow up, sending my values ​​to them, helping them when they fall, listening to them when they need me, not necessarily say goodbye and, above all, being able to learn from them and let them help me.inspire. Children are our future.

Also, I feel like there’s a lot to explore and learn. About life and about me. Speaking of the future, I feel we are living in very important times. And how we shape these next years will determine our lives. My passion has certain aspects that I have learned to dislike. They may be resolved in the future, but the desire to implement that change needs to be stronger and it needs to lead to action today. Talking is not enough and we can wait. There is no alternative. The race is on.

My best race? More to come. I believe in moving forward and moving on. Time is a one way street and I want to go with the times. Looking back will only slow you down. I hope to race on unknown tracks and find new challenges. The marks I left on the road will remain until time and the rain will wash them away. Will put new ones. Tomorrow belongs to those who shape today. The next curve is in good hands because the new generation has arrived.

I think there is still a race to be won. Congratulations and thank you for allowing me to share the track with you. I love everyone”.