Vettel's generous gesture that travels the world 0:54
(Reuters) --
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the season, saying on Thursday his goals had changed and he wanted to focus more on family and interests outside the sport.
The 35-year-old German, who drives for the Aston Martin team, won his titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013 and also spent six seasons with Ferrari.
Vettel made the announcement ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the season and the last race before the August break.
"I hereby announce my retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season," he said in a video explaining his reasons on a newly created Instagram page.
"I love this sport. It has been fundamental in my life for as long as I can remember. But just as there is life on the track, there is also my life outside of it. Being a racing driver has never been my only identity... Besides racing, I have raised a family and I love being with them. I have cultivated other interests outside of Formula 1," he explained.
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We will miss you, Seb 🥹#F1 #ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/eEJ8zE6aih
– Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2022
Vettel, who has become increasingly outspoken on a range of issues from the environment to gay, bisexual and transgender rights, said Formula 1 was increasingly in conflict with his personal life.
Sebastian Vettel says climate change makes him question his job in Formula 1
"My goals have gone from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow, transmitting my values ​​to them, helping them get 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," he said.
"I feel that we live in very decisive times and that the way we all shape these next few years will determine our lives. My passion comes with certain aspects that I have learned not to like," he said.
Vettel was a four-time champion in Formula 1
Vettel said in May that climate change was making him question his job as a racing driver.
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Asked if his position on the environment and global warming made him a hypocrite, considering that he was part of a "gas-guzzling" sport on a team sponsored by Saudi oil giant Aramco, he acknowledged that it did.
"There are questions that I ask myself every day and I'm not a saint," he said then.
Sebastian Vettel
