Sebastian Vettel’s recent announcement regarding his retirement from the sport has seen many reflect on the incredible career the German driver had.
The Aston Martin F1 Team driver claimed four back-to-back Drivers’ Championships for Red Bull Racing, claiming complete domination from 2010-2013.
Some may say that his career failed to reach new heights when he left Red Bull to race for Scuderia Ferrari in 2015, where despite having a strong car, he failed to claim another title.
His move to Aston Martin was almost a way of opening the coffin on his F1 career, as the German battled for a few points, rather than victory.
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Prior to his retirement announcement, Vettel explained how he was tired of battling for points and wanted a return to battling for victory.
Despite this, Vettel wasn’t expected to retire this year, with many under the impression that he would re-sign for Aston Martin to continue racing in 2023.
Vettel’s former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Channel 4 that nobody saw the announcement coming, but that it was the “right decision” for the 35-year-old.
“I don’t think anybody did, I saw him as he left the paddock in Paul Ricard and it had been obviously a frustrating day for him,” said Horner.
“But I think it’s the right decision for him, it’s not good seeing him run around in the midfield, I don’t think he’s getting any satisfaction from that, the time is right to draw the curtain on what has been an amazing career.”
Vettel’s time at Red Bull was one that will go down in history; the German was unbeatable across his four World Championship winning years, as were the Austrian team, who won four Constructors’ Titles consecutively.
Incredibly, Horner revealed to Channel 4 that Red Bull attempted to resign Vettel as an alternative to current driver Sergio Pérez.
This would’ve seen Vettel alongside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, a mouth-watering prospect.
Ultimately, talks failed to progress, with Horner admitting that it would be like going “back to an old girlfriend”.
“We had a few exploratory talks,” Horner revealed.
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“But it would be a bit like going back to an old girlfriend, it would probably never be quite the same second time around.
“What we achieved together was so remarkable. It was such a phenomenal thing and that will always be part of our history, and we’re tremendously proud to have had him as part of our team.”
Aston Martin wasted no time in announcing who would replace the outgoing German, with double World Champion Fernando Alonso having already been announced as his replacement.