Few Formula 1 drivers have climbed as high as Sebastian Vettel did between 2010 and 2013 — four titles in a row, all before turning 27. Then the rhythm broke. A disillusioning Ferrari chapter, a quiet Aston Martin finale, and a retirement at 35 left fans asking what happened to the Red Bull prodigy. This article traces Vettel’s full career arc, unpacks why he walked away, and looks at the environmental advocate he’s become.

4 related posts

World Championships: 4 ·
Grand Prix Wins: 53 ·
Podium Finishes: 122 ·
Age at First Title: 23 years, 134 days (youngest ever)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Vettel announced his retirement on 2022-07-28 (Formula1.com)
  • Four consecutive world championships with Red Bull (2010–2013) (Sky Sports)
  • 53 Grand Prix wins, third on the all-time list (Aston Martin F1)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Vettel will return to F1 as team principal or ambassador
  • Exact net worth (estimates vary widely)
  • Long-term plans for his environmental foundation
3Timeline signal
  • Announced retirement before the 2022 Hungarian GP (Formula1.com)
  • Final race was the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP (his 300th entry) (Motorsport.com)
4What’s next
  • Vettel is focused on environmental activism, bee conservation, and sustainable farming
  • Spends time with his three children and occasionally drives historic cars

Eight core facts that define Sebastian Vettel’s career and life:

Attribute Value
Full Name Sebastian Vettel
Born July 3, 1987 (Heppenheim, West Germany)
Nationality German
F1 Debut 2007 (BMW Sauber)
Championships 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Wins 53
Podiums 122
Pole Positions 57

What has happened to Sebastian Vettel?

Vettel’s retirement announcement

On July 28, 2022, Sebastian Vettel announced that he would retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. The announcement came as a surprise to many fans and teams. In a statement released by Formula1.com, Vettel said after 15 full seasons he felt it was time to step away.

His final F1 season with Aston Martin

Vettel drove his final season for Aston Martin in 2022. He finished 12th in the championship with 37 points, scoring a best result of sixth at the Japanese Grand Prix. His final race was the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marked his 300th entry — a fact noted by Motorsport.com.

Bottom line: Vettel retired after 15 seasons, with his final campaign at Aston Martin in 2022. For fans following his journey, the decision was emotional; for the paddock, it opened a highly sought seat.
The upshot

Vettel’s retirement reshuffled the driver market for 2023. Aston Martin signed Fernando Alonso, a move that immediately elevated the team’s competitive prospects.

Why did Vettel retire so early?

Burnout and changing priorities

  • Vettel said he wanted to be a good father and spend more time with his family (ESPN)
  • The grueling 23-race calendar contributed to his decision

Environmental concerns and activism

  • Vettel expressed disillusionment with F1’s environmental impact
  • He wanted to focus on sustainability projects and climate advocacy (ESPN)

“We cannot keep racing as if nothing is happening. We need to think about the future.”

Sebastian Vettel

Bottom line: Vettel’s retirement at 35 was not a decline in skill — it was a deliberate choice to realign his life. The implication: even elite athletes hit a point where purpose outweighs podium finishes.

What does Vettel do now?

Environmental activism and projects

  • Involved in biodiversity projects, bee conservation, and sustainable farming
  • Launched a bee hotel initiative at race tracks and encouraged organic farming practices

Family life and hobbies

  • Spends time with his three children and partner Hanna
  • Occasionally drives historic cars and participates in non-F1 events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed

“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people over the years… but as much as there is still love for the sport, there is something else that I want to do.”

Sebastian Vettel, quoted in his retirement announcement

The paradox

The same driver who dominated F1 by burning fuel at 300 km/h now dedicates his energy to saving bees and promoting renewable agriculture. It’s a shift that underscores the complexity of being both a racer and a climate-conscious human.

The catch: Vettel’s post-F1 life remains deliberately low-key, and he has ruled out a return to racing full-time.

Why did Ferrari get rid of Vettel?

Performance decline and team dynamics

  • Vettel’s performance dropped after 2018, with a series of errors and crashes
  • He finished runner-up in 2017 and 2018 but never recaptured the title form
  • Strained relationship with team management and a loss of confidence

Arrival of Carlos Sainz

  • Ferrari chose not to renew Vettel’s contract after the 2020 season (Formula1.com)
  • He was replaced by Carlos Sainz for the 2021 season

“There is no doubt that Sebastian is one of the greatest drivers of his generation… but we decided to go in a different direction.”

Mattia Binotto, former Ferrari team principal

Bottom line: Ferrari and Vettel simply ran out of road. The team chose a fresh pairing (Leclerc and Sainz) over a declining star. For Vettel, the split arguably accelerated his retirement timeline.

Who is better, Max or Vettel?

Six key numbers show where each driver stands:

Metric Sebastian Vettel Max Verstappen
World Championships 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
Grand Prix Wins 53 54 (as of 2023 season end)
Podiums 122 98 (as of 2023)
Pole Positions 57 32 (as of 2023)
Years to first title 3 seasons (2008 debut, 2010 title) 7 seasons (2015 debut, 2021 title)
Active career span 15 seasons (2007–2022, retired) 9 seasons (2015–present)

The pattern: raw numbers favor Vettel on poles and titles, but Verstappen’s win rate is higher in a more compact timeframe.

Driving styles and eras

  • Vettel dominated during the blown-diffuser era of Red Bull; known for his smooth, rear-grippy style and rain mastery
  • Verstappen excels in the ground-effect era; aggressive, late-braking, and relentless consistency
Bottom line: Vettel has more titles and poles; Verstappen is winning at a faster rate and racing in a more competitive era. What this means: context — regulations, team dominance, and length of career — matters more than raw numbers when comparing the two.

Timeline: Vettel’s life and career

  • July 3, 1987 – Born in Heppenheim, West Germany
  • 2007 – F1 debut with BMW Sauber, later moves to Toro Rosso
  • 2008 – Wins first Grand Prix (Monza) with Toro Rosso
  • 2009 – Moves to Red Bull Racing
  • 2010 – Wins first World Drivers’ Championship (youngest ever at 23 years, 134 days) (Sky Sports)
  • 2011 – Wins second consecutive title
  • 2012 – Wins third consecutive title
  • 2013 – Wins fourth consecutive title (dominant season with 13 wins)
  • 2015 – Moves to Ferrari
  • 2017 – Title contender, finishes 2nd in championship
  • 2018 – Title contender again, finishes 2nd; relationship with Ferrari starts to sour
  • 2020 – Ferrari announces Vettel will leave at end of season
  • 2021 – Joins Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point)
  • July 28, 2022 – Announces retirement from F1 at end of 2022 season (Formula1.com)
  • 2023–present – Focuses on environmental advocacy, family, and occasional historic car events

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Vettel retired from F1 after the 2022 season (Formula1.com)
  • He won four world championships with Red Bull (Sky Sports)
  • Ferrari did not renew his contract after 2020 (Formula1.com)
  • He is actively involved in environmental projects

What’s unclear

  • Whether Vettel will return to F1 as team principal or ambassador
  • Exact net worth figures (estimates vary widely)
  • Long-term plans for his environmental foundation

Quotes

“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people over the years… but as much as there is still love for the sport, there is something else that I want to do.”

Sebastian Vettel

“We cannot keep racing as if nothing is happening. We need to think about the future.”

Sebastian Vettel

“There is no doubt that Sebastian is one of the greatest drivers of his generation… but we decided to go in a different direction.”

Mattia Binotto

Vettel’s story is not a simple fade-out. He left the sport at 35, still capable of winning races, because he valued fatherhood and the planet more than another championship. For any driver contemplating the same crossroads, the choice is clear: race until the fire dies, or redirect the fire. Vettel chose the latter.

Additional sources

f1-fansite.com, formula1points.com, planetf1.com, espn.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, f1.fandom.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Sebastian Vettel’s net worth?

Estimates vary, but most sources place it between $140 million and $200 million (accumulated from F1 salaries, endorsements, and investments).

Is Sebastian Vettel married?

Vettel has been in a long-term relationship with Hanna Prater since 2008. The couple is not officially married but have three children together.

How many children does Sebastian Vettel have?

He has three children: two daughters (born 2014 and 2015) and a son (born 2019).

What is Sebastian Vettel’s nationality?

German. He was born in Heppenheim, West Germany.

Who is Sebastian Vettel’s father?

His father is Norbert Vettel, who worked as a carpenter and supported his son’s early karting career.

What number did Sebastian Vettel use in F1?

He used number 1 when champion, but his permanent number was 5 (used from 2015 onward).

Did Sebastian Vettel ever drive for Red Bull?

Yes, he drove for Red Bull Racing from 2009 to 2014, winning all four of his titles with them.

What was Sebastian Vettel’s best season?

2013: he won 13 out of 19 races, securing his fourth consecutive title with four races to spare.

Related reading