Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel to retire at end of 2022 season

Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old began his Formula 1 career midway through the 2007 season.

He went on to win four World Championships as well as 53 races.

All four of those victories, which happened consecutively between 2010 and 2013, came with Red Bull.

He joined Ferrari in 2015 and last year became an Aston Martin driver.

Announcing his decision, Vettel said: “I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula One over the past 15 years – there are far too many to mention and thank.

“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it.

“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.

“But today is not about saying goodbye. Rather, it is about saying thank you – to everyone – not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula One could not exist.”

Vettel will sign off at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November which will mark his 300th race.

He added: “Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin driver – and, although our results have not been as good as we had hoped, it is very clear to me that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come.

“I have really enjoyed working with such a great bunch of people.

“I hope that the work I did last year and am continuing to do this year will be helpful in the development of a team that will win in the future, and I will work as hard as I can between now and the end of the year with that goal in mind, giving as always my best in the last 10 races.”