Closing Ferrari Chapter Made Sebastian Vettel First Consider Leaving F1: “Thoughts Were Popping Up”

Sebastian Vettel had won all of his 4 world championship titles with Red Bull. However, his hope of getting back on top continued during his years with Ferrari. While the German driver had won 14 races for the Prancing Horse, they let him go at the end of 2020. Did the lack of competitiveness after that prompt him to hang his boots?

After winning 4 consecutive world titles with Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel was joined by Daniel Ricciardo at the team in 2014. Ricciardo in his very first season at the Milton-Keynes-based team beat Vettel in the points tally. This came as a surprise for fans and media alike, as Vettel did not just fail to defend his world title, but was also beaten by his own young teammate.

Did the departure from Ferrari prompt Sebastian Vettel to contemplate retirement?

Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 following a failed season with Red Bull. He stayed with the Maranello-based team until the end of 2020, finishing runner-up in the drivers’ standings twice. He came closest to the championship back in 2017, beaten by 46 points by Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking on Beyond the Grid podcast, Seb revealed when he and his wife first discussed his retirement. Vettel told, “So it’s been some years back that the first thoughts were popping up. And obviously after the change from Ferrari to Aston Martin, that time was the first time we really thought it might be time to stop or it might be my final contract.”

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Almost every driver who has been Sebastian’s teammate revealed how much they learned from him. Reacting to his retirement news, his former Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc too opened up on how Vettel taught him the value of little things that he once ignored. Leclerc also had a pretty wholesome message for Seb.

Charles Leclerc’s wholesome gesture for Sebastian Vettel

Charles Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019, back when Vettel had already spent 4 years with the team. The young Monegasque revealed how he learned certain values from Seb that will stay with him forever.

Speaking 3 months back, Leclerc said, “Our relationship is very strong and he’s just a super nice guy. Just wish him the best and as I told him before, I will always have one or two passes if he wants to come to a race because I will be very happy to see him in the paddock still next year.”

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We just wish to see Seb back in F1 soon in some other capacity. If not, we are sure he will stay active in working on the social and environmental issues close to him.