What comes next for Sebastian Vettel as F1 driver prepares for retirement to focus on another ‘race to win’

Sebastian Vettel will hear ‘it’s lights out and away we go’ for the last time this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the four-time World Champion retires from Formula 1.

The 35-year-old is one of the most successful F1 drivers in the world with 53 race wins under his belt, who announced his decision to leave the motorsport in July 2022 as he believed there is ‘still a race to win.’

Vettel’s decision to retire comes after two fairly unsuccessful seasons with team Aston Martin with Vettel currently sitting 11th on the F1 standings.

The driver has previously raced for BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull and Ferrari.

The German driver is set topursue his interests outside of Formula 1 such as working to raise awareness for gender equality, for the environment and for social justice, He has also said he plans to focus on his family.

When discussing his career, Vettel said: “I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula 1 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.”

Vettel announced his retirement by joining Instagram and posting a video with the hashtag #Thereisstillaracetowin to highlight further reasons behind his decision to leave the sport he has been a part of since he started karting at the age of three.

He said: “I love this sport. It has been central to my life since I can remember. But as much as there is life on track, there is my life off track too. Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I very much believe that identity is who we are and how we treat others rather than what we do.

“I feel we have the same rights to live no matter what we look like, where we come from and who we love. I love being outside and love nature and its wonders…my goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow.”

This Formula 1 calendar year, Seb has been seen picking up litter from the stands after a race, wearing t-shirts to discuss the rising water levels in Miami that could leave the city underwater by 2060, and championing LGBTQ+ rights.

For the Canadian Grand Prix, Seb even wore a helmet condemning the mining of tar sands by showing the ecological damage.

So while it may be ‘lights out’ on Sebastian Vettel’s Formula 1 career this weekend, the four-time World Champ is hoping to make tracks with other social and environmental races.