Sebastian Vettel leaves Formula 1 as one of the sports most respected and decorated drivers, with fellow drivers, pundits and fans admiring him both on the track and off it.
The four-time World Champion ended his career with a tenth placed finish and a single point for Aston Martin at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the race will not be what he will be remembered for with the German driver being one of the greatest to ever grace the sport.
The Thursday before the race saw a historical moment for the sport, as all twenty drivers gathered and paid tribute to Vettel, which was followed by a dinner organized by Lewis Hamilton, who paid the bill. The Friday Drivers Association meeting saw Vettel presented with a trophy by chairman Alez Wurz for his “long-standing and exceptional services to the GPDA”.
Sunday showed how well respected he is, with old rival Fernando Alonso saying that he would not attack on the final lap as a mark of respect even with the pair not enjoying the best of relationships throughout their careers.
A Career Many Will Struggle to Match
Vettel’s achievements are an incredible feat, with the German driver putting himself in the history books with fifty-three wins making him third for all-time wins behind just Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Again, his fifty-seven pole positions makes him fourth in the all-time standings just behind Hamilton, Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. All of them stats led to four unique and incredible World Driver Championships.
His time at Oracle Red Bull Racing saw him win his four championships in a row. Vettel was considered unbeatable at the time, which was a time of true Red Bull dominance. It wasn’t always positive for the German though, with multiple fights with teammates causing controversy. His battles with Mark Webber, were always tense and very tightly contested.
Vettel started his career with BMW Sauber for the unavailable Robert Kubica at the 2007 United States Grand Prix and his talent was clear then, with an incredible qualifying performance that saw him start seventh and finish in eighth claiming a debut point. Vettel switched to Toro Rosso, with his most impressive performance being a fourth place at the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix. The 2008 season saw his first win at the Italian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso as he became the youngest driver to win a race (at the time).
Vettel moved to Red Bull in 2009 and claimed his first pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix as well as winning the race. 2010 onwards to 2013 saw Vettel claim four consecutive titles, with his final one being won at the 2013 Indian Grand Prix.
Vettel moved to Scuderia Ferrari but his time there didn’t go as he hoped and despite fourteen race wins in his six seasons with them, the dominance of Hamilton saw him miss out on a fifth world title. His final run of his career saw him move to Aston Martin, where his final and one hundred and twenty second podium came at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Not Just a Driver
Vettel’s off the track actions have caught the eye of many, backing up what an incredible person he is.
Many things, such as collecting litter at the 2021 British Grand Prix, lapping Albert Park on a scooter and standing up for the quest for a safer world and enviroment are just a few of things that Vettel has done over his Formula 1 career.
His personality off-track as well as his ability on it has seen him well respected by everyone up and down the paddock.
Max Verstappen spoke on his experience with Vettel after his high-speed crash at Silverstone in 2021.
“I came back from the hospital to my motorhome to get all my stuff and he was there, waiting for me when I got out of the car, and he said: ‘Are you OK, Max? How are you doing?’
“And that just shows how he is. You know, a super-nice, caring person who is not only there for performance, but also means well.”
Verstappen isn’t the only one, with Charles Leclerc also giving Vettel a touching tribute and some kind words.
“As a person, he’s been incredible. I remember, when I was in Formula 2, I was doing the simulator work [for Ferrari], which, OK, it’s not an easy work to do, because it’s really, really tiring, and I thought that Seb probably didn’t even know I was on the simulator.
“And I received a letter one day, just thanking me for all the hard work. And that meant a lot to me at that time.”
It wasn’t just the fellow drivers that appreciated him, with his former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealing that “He’d come and stay at the house. I live in the countryside on a bit of a farm and they were lambing.
“The lambs were being born in a shed and he wanted to get involved, and I just remember the local farmer turning up with Sebastian helping to pull a couple of lambs out. And he didn’t have a clue who he was – a four-time world champion, in a sheep shed.
“We’ve got a couple of miniature donkeys, and he took them for a walk. And he’s walking through the village, and somebody nearly drove off the road thinking: ‘Is that Sebastian Vettel with the donkey from Shrek?’
“So, just a lovely, lovely guy, and I think we’ll all miss him in Formula 1.”
Seb is one of the greatest to ever race in the sport, and it isn’t just his racing ability that has made us all grow to admire him. He has left a massive mark on Formula 1, and everyone will miss him.
