After three seasons away from the Formula 1 grid, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has confirmed that his time as a Grand Prix driver is officially over.
In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, the 37-year-old German ended months of speculation by stating that a comeback to Formula 1 is no longer in his plans. “F1 is finished,” Vettel said. “At some point the time is ripe to leave the field to others.”
Vettel stepped away from F1 at the end of the 2022 season following a two-year tenure with Aston Martin. While he showed flashes of his racing pedigree in his final campaign, he ultimately opted to prioritize time with his family and explore interests beyond motorsport.
During his career, Vettel achieved 53 Grand Prix victories and four consecutive world titles with Red Bull Racing between 2010 and 2013. He later enjoyed a competitive stint at Ferrari, adding 14 wins to his tally and regularly challenging for championships, though he never recaptured the dominant form of his early success.
Despite previously leaving the door open to a possible return, Vettel now believes the sport is in good hands with a new generation of drivers. “You see that with the rookies. I think it’s good that a lot of drivers have now been replaced,” he commented. “That’s not a vote against the older ones, but for the younger ones.”
Vettel’s decision marks the end of an era for one of the most successful and influential drivers of his generation. Though no longer on the grid, his legacy continues to resonate within the sport, both for his achievements and for his advocacy on environmental and social issues in the final years of his career.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve, Vettel has firmly passed the baton to the next wave of talent — and made clear that his own chapter as a driver is now closed.