After much speculation, Sebastian Vettel has drawn a line under Formula 1 – and is considering a new chapter in his life
Since retiring from Formula 1 after the 2022 season, Sebastian Vettel has repeatedly hinted at a comeback. But that’s now over, as Vettel explained in an interview with auto motor und sport: “Formula 1 is over.”
Where did this sudden change of heart come from? Vettel says: “At some point, the time is right to leave the field to others. You can see that with the rookies right now. I think it’s good that a whole bunch of them have been replaced.”
In fact, several experienced Formula 1 drivers had to vacate their cockpits for the 2025 season: Valtteri Bottas lost his seat at Sauber, Kevin Magnussen left Haas, Sergio Perez was bought out of his contract at Red Bull, and Daniel Ricciardo was even replaced during the racing season.
However, Vettel expressly does not want his statements to be understood as a “vote against the old,” but rather “one for the young.” He goes on to say, “It didn’t interest me in the past who among the established drivers was no longer racing. The main thing was that I got to race!”
Vettel’s Formula 1 career in the fast lane
Vettel’s first regular seat in Formula 1 also came about as a result of a replacement in 2007: Toro Rosso was dissatisfied with Scott Speed’s performance, so the American was dismissed shortly after the halfway point of the season and Vettel took over the cockpit.
What happened next: Vettel won the Italian Grand Prix for Toro Rosso in 2008 in a complete surprise victory and moved to Red Bull in 2009, where he soon scored the team’s first Formula 1 victory. From 2010 to 2013, Vettel went on to win four consecutive world championships.
However, in his attempt to emulate his childhood idol Michael Schumacher, Vettel failed several times against Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes at Ferrari from 2015 onwards and only finished runner-up in the world championship twice before having to leave Ferrari at the end of 2020. Vettel ended his Formula 1 career with two years at Aston Martin, where he achieved one podium finish.
Formula 1 no, but maybe the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
But Vettel can’t let go of motorsport: it’s no secret that he would like to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Vettel has even tested for Porsche. The only reason he hasn’t raced yet is because “it hasn’t been the right fit,” according to Vettel.
But this chapter isn’t closed for him yet: “I don’t want to rule out that something will come of it.” The WEC, with its eight races per season, would “actually fit in well” with his plans to spend more time at home with his family rather than constantly on the road, as was the case during his Formula 1 days with over 20 races per year.
