Aston Martin racer Sebastian Vettel is retiring from Formula One after 15 years and is set to appear in his final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from the Aston Martin team announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of the current season to focus on his family and other interests aside from the sport.
The 35-year-old German dropped the news ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the season and last race before the August break.
In a recorded video announcement via a newly created Instagram page, Vettel explained that no matter how much he loved the sport, he has a life outside the track and that “being a racing driver has never been my sole identity”.
“My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow, passing on my values, helping them 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.
Vettel is a four-time world champion, winning all his titles with Red Bull from 2010-2013 while also spending six seasons with Ferrari, making him one of the most decorated drivers in the sport’s history with 53 race wins and 122 podiums over the course of his 15-year career.
"The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it," Vettel said.
"At the end of the year, I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next. It is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family.
Vettel is set to be in his 300th career race and his final one at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November - a landmark only six other drivers have reached.
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