Four times world champion Sebastian Vettel retired from F1 at end of season, Hamilton, Schumacher, Ferrari post tributes.
Sebastian Vettel, a four-time winner of Formula One, announced on Friday that he would retire at the end of the current campaign to spend more time with his family. With the Red Bull squad, Vettel won four F1 championships between 2010 and 2013. In 2019, he won his final race while driving for Ferrari. He has mostly struggled this season with Aston Martin, with a best finish of sixth. Vettel finished third in Formula One in terms of race wins with 53, behind Michael Schumacher (103) and Lewis Hamilton (103) (91).
In 2013, he won 13 races, which set a record in Formula One. Vettel and Hamilton were strong rivals for more than ten years, and Hamilton instantly paid tribute to the departing driver on social media. Many current and former Formula One drivers, both competitors and teammates, have praised Vettel's career. Vettel became the youngest champion of the 2010 Formula One World Championship at the age of 23. As the third driver to win four straight championships, he later joined Michael Schumacher and Juan M. Fangio in the feat. Then Lewis Hamilton, a Mercedes driver, joined them.
Following strong starts that were derailed by pressure-induced driver errors, Vettel's championship dreams with Ferrari failed. He had a chance to win in both 2017 and 2018, but Hamilton won them both while he was in the lead at the halfway point of the previous season. In the wet German Grand Prix the year after, he easily won but crashed off the track and into the barriers despite starting from pole position. He wrecked in the Singapore Grand Prix in 2017 although starting from the front row.
Although they were formerly strong opponents, their friendship has gotten better over the past several years, and they now support each other's campaigns for social, environmental, and equality issues. “Seb, it’s been an honor to call you a competitor and an even greater honor to call you my friend,” posted Hamilton on social media. Seb, it’s been an honor to call you a competitor and an ever greater honor to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man. pic.twitter.com/eHVmOpov2m — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 28, 2022
The latter description also applies to Mick Schumacher, a driver who is nearing the end of his career but has benefited from Vettel's counsel. Because he admired the 23-year-old father of Michael growing up, Vettel has been an excellent role model for Mick. “Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to the sport we both love,” tweeted the Haas driver. “I can’t wait for our last races together. Thank you, Seb – you’re an inspiration. “I’m so sad that you’re leaving, but at the same time excited for you and this new chapter of your life. You’ve been, and still are, such an important person to me and I’m thankful for our friendship.” Vettel completed six seasons with Ferrari until being let go by the team at the conclusion of 2020, despite the fact that he won his four world championships for Red Bull. He brought home 14 championships for the Scuderia.
The Hungarian Grand Prix, where Vettel last competed for the victory in 2021 despite being later disqualified for a fueling error, will undoubtedly generate a lot of conversation about his probable retirement this weekend.
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