[Driver] Sebastian Vettel retires

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

A driver who I confess I disliked quite strongly when he was in his 'pomp but have grown to like considerably in the last few years. All time great? Perhaps the results speak for themselves.....

During his championship years at Red Bull he was an arrogant and extremely dislikable character. He was good, of course, but I still think four championships flattered him. So not an "all-time great".

His driving fell apart during his latter time at Ferrari, but he became a much nicer person. Indeed, he is now an extremely personable and occasionally funny speaker.

At Aston Martin he also seems to have recovered his driving ability, although it's a bit hard to tell as the car manages to camouflage that well.

[AndreasDavour]

I see a common thread here that many of us feels he was not a very pleasant person before, but has matured a lot. I personally think it's because he was under the influence of some truly toxic people in the RBR team environment. Hang around Helmut Marko and anyone becomes a jerk.


That being said. I really love the Seb Vettel we have today. His passion for the sport, and his knowledge and sharp wit will be missed. I think I agree Alonso and Hamilton are greater drivers, but among those three I'd pick Sebastian to sit down with and have a beer. I really will miss him.

[gert]

I share the sentiment of many here that I really disliked the Red Bull version of Vettel but like the version we have now.

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by AndreasDavour

I see a common thread here that many of us feels he was not a very pleasant person before, but has matured a lot. I personally think it's because he was under the influence of some truly toxic people in the RBR team environment. Hang around Helmut Marko and anyone becomes a jerk.

You may have a point there.

[Born Racer]

It's only natural to compare Vettel with other drivers we may place in the pantheon of greats, but it arguably does him a slight disservice, because many will only say he fails to stack up against other serial winners or championship holders. If je were a two-time world champion, he would he said to be a good two-time champion rather than a bad four-time one. And he is certainly not bad. He made the most of his Red Bull opportunity and only started to slide around the time of Ricciardo's arrival and with a change in regulations.

Yes, he demonstrated the importance of the car, but, so what? A very good driver who has also always been someone with a bit of perspective of life outside F1, and who in recent years, has shown a competitive edge without the previous hints of superiority. I think he seems a fantastic person and he's also a fan, just like us.

He may not yet know how to fill the void, but he will use his intelligence, humility and curiosity to do so with aplomb.

All the best to you, Seb.

[Born Racer]

It's only natural to compare Vettel with other drivers we may place in the pantheon of greats, but it arguably does him a slight disservice, because many will only say he fails to stack up against other serial winners or championship holders. If je were a two-time world champion, he would he said to be a good two-time champion rather than a bad four-time one. And he is certainly not bad. He made the most of his Red Bull opportunity and only started to slide around the time of Ricciardo's arrival and with a change in regulations.

Yes, he demonstrated the importance of the car, but, so what? A very good driver who has also always been someone with a bit of perspective of life outside F1, and who in recent years, has shown a competitive edge without the previous hints of superiority. I think he seems a fantastic person and he's also a fan, just like us.

He may not yet know how to fill the void, but he will use his intelligence, humility and curiosity to do so with aplomb.

All the best to you, Seb.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Yes, he demonstrated the importance of the car, but, so what? A very good driver who has also always been someone with a bit of perspective of life outside F1, and who in recent years, has shown a competitive edge without the previous hints of superiority. I think he seems a fantastic person and he's also a fan, just like us.

He may not yet know how to fill the void, but he will use his intelligence, humility and curiosity to do so with aplomb.

All the best to you, Seb.

Wonderfully written!

Has he always had zeal for the sport's history? I don't remember hearing that before. Also was surprised to hear he had purchased an ex-Mansell Williams*, and he is a 'Red 5 fan.' Also, videos of him doing demos in old Aston GP cars floating around.

There certainly seemed to be something different about him recently. The hair. The plunging into bringing more light to social problems.

He does seem like an interesting guy and that he will enjoy life.

* I do realize that owning an ex-Mansell Williams-Renault has an investment component along with the collector/fan behavior.

[Paulaweybridge]

Very impressed with him recently on BBC’s ‘Question Time’. A highly intelligent guy with many concerns on what is going on in the world right now.

Love his new hair style.

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Wonderfully written!

Has he always had zeal for the sport's history? I don't remember hearing that before. Also was surprised to hear he had purchased an ex-Mansell Williams*, and he is a 'Red 5 fan.' Also, videos of him doing demos in old Aston GP cars floating around.

Oh yes. He has been known in the paddock as the history geek, apparently.

[chillibowl]

didnt get a chance to watch any of the extended coverage this weekend...how did he address his upcoming retirement?

[Caramba]

I was marshaling opposite the pits at the British GP in 2019, can't remember which day it was but there was a historic F1 race at the end of the day.
I looked across & saw Vettel spectating on the pit wall, he watched the whole race I think. It was a long time after the F1 track action had finished.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Caramba

I was marshaling opposite the pits at the British GP in 2019, can't remember which day it was but there was a historic F1 race at the end of the day.
I looked across & saw Vettel spectating on the pit wall, he watched the whole race I think. It was a long time after the F1 track action had finished.

That would have been Saturday, late on, and Sunday, early doors. Muggins here was in the Aston safety car for both sessions

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by AndreasDavour

Oh yes. He has been known in the paddock as the history geek, apparently.

He is also a major Beatles geek.A big plus.

[S griffin]

Considering how much awareness he has of the world outside F1, I think Seb will adapt to retirement pretty easily. And yes I do like the fact he has a great knowledge of F1 history, let's not forget him naming all the champions last year. As Ricciardo said at the time 'he's such a nerd!'

[Caramba]

Originally Posted by Greem

That would have been Saturday, late on, and Sunday, early doors. Muggins here was in the Aston safety car for both sessions

Yeah must have been late Saturday, I was flag waving on post 1

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Considering how much awareness he has of the world outside F1, I think Seb will adapt to retirement pretty easily. And yes I do like the fact he has a great knowledge of F1 history, let's not forget him naming all the champions last year. As Ricciardo said at the time 'he's such a nerd!'

Yeah, that was amazing.

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

didnt get a chance to watch any of the extended coverage this weekend...how did he address his upcoming retirement?

He did say roughly the same thing he has said in all the press releases and the interviews. The retirement speech on the Aston Martin YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3BgDLfRTjk) is actually really, really good. Well worth checking out.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by AndreasDavour

He did say roughly the same thing he has said in all the press releases and the interviews. The retirement speech on the Aston Martin YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3BgDLfRTjk) is actually really, really good. Well worth checking out.

Thanks for that and appreciate the link!

More then seeing him drive elsewhere or another series, would love to see him running a team one day. Maybe Ferrari?

[Adam43]

He might get involved in something Motorsport related, but I get he impression he’s got better things to do!

[Born Racer]

I rarely say this about drivers, as the cog keeps turning and you always get used to the new characters, but I will miss Sebastian Vettel. I agree Adam that he will go on to do something significant, and he is open-minded enough to think the whole world revolves around Formula 1, thank goodness. Someone with perspective and humility.

He has recently displayed poise in the car. His radio reaction to Stroll running him off the circuit in Interlagos was funny - "Okay".

Hope he enjoys the next part of life's journey.

[S griffin]

Hope Vettel goes out on a high this weekend. You can tell that everyone in the paddock will miss him

[Adam43]

He’s my favorite.

[billy bleach]

Loving the tribute helmets - Schumacher, Alonso others?

[VIVA GT]

I must admit that my opinion of Seb has been a bit of a roller coaster, and I certainly didn't like him when he was playing the part of 'Finger Boy'. However, he seems to have mellowed since then and I have grown to like him more & more.
I hope he manages to go out on a high this afternoon and I also hope that this is not going to be the last we see of him, he is an interesting character and obviously a clever man.
Enjoy your retirement Seb, but (as my mum would have said), hopefully you'll now have time to give yourself a proper wash!

[S griffin]

Seb's always been a decent bloke, although maybe he was seen as a cocky upstart in his early days. It's a shame he hasn't managed to get the results the last few years, but hopefully it will be a good weekend for him. I'm sure we could see him in other types of racing and I wouldn't rule out him trying to get back into F1. But for now he's probably had enough, so I don't blame him for leaving