F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Vettel looks to at least 'a couple of years' more in F1

Sebastian Vettel may be about to start a brand new chapter in his Formula 1 career, but he's also aware that he's fast approaching the end of his time within the sport.

“I’m quite rational in these things," the 33-year-old our time former world champion told RACER magazine this week. "I look at it, and I don’t see myself in Formula 1 when I’m 40.

"I will have a couple of years. But we’re not looking at ten more years, so I think you need to be aware of that.

Vettel made his F1 debut in the 2007 US Grand Prix with Sauber and has now completed 257 Grand Prix race starts. He admitted that he could have decided to call time on F1 at the end of last season after being abruptly let go by Ferrari.

“I think very much that if one door shuts another one will open," he said of Ferrari's decision not to extend his contract at Maranello. "Obviously it took a bit of time and it raised a lot of questions about which door I wanted to open.

"After what I’ve achieved in the sport, there was the time and the room – which I think is fair – to think of what you want to do next." In the end he opted to sign up for the Aston Martin team, the new name for the former Racing Point squad.

"It’s not that I had all of the teams of choice, but just in terms of what I want to do, more for the future, if I want to stay in Formula 1 or not," he explained. "But obviously I’ve made my decision and opened the door.”

Despite having admitted that it was a wrench to have to say goodbye to so many good friends and colleagues at Ferrari, Vettel isn't expecting his move to be a difficult transition.

“I don’t think it will be that much," he insisted. "I always managed things on my own. I mean I have people that are close and are helping me, don’t get me wrong, but I think I have never been pampered.

"I see that as a privilege: I can lead my life, I know what to look out for and so on, and I don’t need to have people holding my hand."

Vettel also insists that there's no bad feeling between him and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto for deciding to let him go although he admitted that the decision had "confused" him at the time and that he still didn't have all the answers.

.

"I completely accept it, and when Mattia told me on the phone it was clear. It wasn’t like I was trying to fight back or convince him otherwise – not at all.

“The title was the big thing, so for sure there’s something missing," he added. "But I’m quite sure I won’t be frustrated by it for the rest of my life.

“I think everything happens for a reason. The good things happen for a reason, and the bad things happen for a reason," he added. "The last six years [at Ferrari], speaking of track performances and so on, I’ve learned a lot.

"It will help me for the rest of my path in Formula 1 and outside Formula 1 - about myself, about people," he insisted. "I’m definitely of the conviction that I leave richer than I was before.

"I don’t mean this financially or with more wins, but I think richer in experiences and things that will help me along the way.”

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

2 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

3 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

5 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

7 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

7 hours ago

Hamilton’s woes deepen after battling ‘plank of wood’ car in Brazil

Despite his best efforts, a lowly tenth-place finish was as good as it got for…

9 hours ago