[Driver] Sebastian Vettel retires

[BTCC frog]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ve...344461/?nrt=54

Confirmation that four-time champion Sebastian Vettel will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season. This will be a huge loss for Formula 1, as it is always a shame to lose someone who has had a long and successful career, but Vettel in particular is one of the all-time greats and is also probably more passionate about the sport than any other driver on the grid, as shown by his ability to name all the champions since 1950.

For me, his best moments in Formula 1 have been his brilliant first win in Monza 2008 for Toro Rosso, and his third World Championship in 2012 with Red Bull despite the incident at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix which damaged his car and put him to the back.

[peebee2]

Lovely guy but I’m not sure he’ll go down as an “all-time great!”

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Lovely guy but I’m not sure he’ll go down as an “all-time great!”

Statistically he's top five.

[bathurst77]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Lovely guy but I’m not sure he’ll go down as an “all-time great!”

4 wdc and came close a couple more times
3rd most wins ever
he would have more of each if his cars had of been better.

i would put him up there

[bathurst77]

soooo.... now we have an empty seat in a decent mid field team, and if latify is let go an empty seat at back marker williams.
might be 1 or 2 more before rd1 2023

"I officially declare the 2022 Silly Season open!"

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

4 wdc and came close a couple more times
3rd most wins ever
he would have more of each if his cars had of been better.

i would put him up there

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Statistically he's top five.

True.

[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.....

[steve_r]

I have mixed feelings about him. At first I thought he was quite unlikeable in his Red Bull and the early part of his Ferrari career. Multi 21, Baku 2017 & Brazil 2019 were particular low points. But at the same time his terrific results spoke for themselves, and demand respect.

Despite him not exactly being my favourite driver, his decline at Ferrari was very sad to see. When he crashed out of the German GP in 2018, it seemed to trigger something. The next 2 seasons seemed to be full of unforced errors or at the very least him cracking under the slightest pressure.

I think that leaving Ferrari released that pressure somewhat. Or perhaps he simply grew up a bit? I am not sure exactly what has changed. Now he come across (to me at least) as a genuine, humble and likeable bloke who I would love to go for a beer with. He still has speed, but a race winning drive is not available, so it makes sense to call it a day.

He loves his F1. I had forgotten until recently that he bought Mansells Red 5 championship winning Williams. Who here wouldn't love to be in a position to do something like that!

I never thought I would say this - but I think that I will miss him being on the grid.

[VIVA GT]

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.....

He's had exactly the same effect on me too

[Richard Casto]

When F1 drivers talk about why they are in F1, it almost always is about how it is viewed as the pinnacle. So they are climbing what they view as the tallest mountain. And there is nothing wrong with that. But Vettel also just seems to somehow also exude his love and knowledge of the sport in a way that seems a level above the rest. He comes across as that kid who dove deeply into the history, stats, etc. of the sport and in the end found himself in the mix of actually doing it and became a multiple WDC during his journey.

Given his knowledge, love and passion for F1, I hope he finds a place to continue his involvement.

Richard

[chillibowl]

easily a top 10 driver for me but honestly i respect the man more then the on track accomplishments!

will be sad to see him go but such is the way of sports.

[Adam43]

He’s my favorite.

[crmalcolm]

Just for the sake of it:



The story behind what happened next shows some of his character.

[NaBUru38]

Vettel chose to spend two years in Aston Martin just because we wanted to race. I certainly respect that.


I can't believe some people think that four titles isn't enough to classify him as a legend.

[Richard Casto]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Just for the sake of it:



The story behind what happened next shows some of his character.

It had to be mentioned. This thread would be incomplete without that photo.

Richard