Vettel admits missing F1's 'competition and tension'

40

F1 retiree Sebastian Vettel says that finds himself missing the electrifying competition and tension that he enjoyed during his career as a Grand Prix driver.

Vettel retired from the sport at the end of last year after a remarkable run at the pinnacle of motorsport that lasted over 15 seasons and yielded four world championships.

The 35-year-old now leads a quiet life with his family – with no regrets – far away from the sport's glitz and theatrics, "gathering a lot of ideas and drifting before anything more concrete comes out of it," as he recently explained.

While Vettel still takes a keen interest in all things F1, leaving behind the thrills of racing's wheel-to-wheel battles, the sport's adrenaline-fueled moments and its intense rivalries has undoubtedly left a void in the German driver's competitive spirit.

Read also: Vettel to star at 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed

"After such a long time in racing, I have something like an everyday life for the first time," he told Bild.

"It took me some time to get used to it. Above all, I enjoy the time with my children.

"It was strange at first not to be there. But I can handle it well and follow the sport with great interest.

"So far I’m doing very well with my decision. But what I miss most is the competition and the tension," he added.

"I let myself be inspired, look at a lot, collect ideas. Let’s see what ends up being a project."

In July, Vettel will be back behind the wheel, the former Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin driver donning his helmet and overall taking part in Goodwood's Festival of Speed event.

He'll be running up the hill onboard several F1 cars from his own private collection, including Nigel Mansell’s championship-winning Williams FW14B and Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/8 from 1993, all running on sustainable fuels for which he is a main advocate.

"Driving my old racing cars with e-fuels at Goodwood is one thing. Motorsport is my passion," he said.

"It’s important to me to show that we can drive just as well and quickly with synthetic, i.e. CO2-neutral, fuel. And that already today synthetic fuels offer a solution to responsibly having fun.

"A lot of people just don’t know that yet."

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

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.