Earlier Thursday, July 28, Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement from Formula 1, bringing the four-time World Driver’s Champion’s career to a close after 15 full-time seasons.
The youngest F1 champion in history, Vettel will end his career tied with Alain Prost in number of total championships and has only been eclipsed by Juan Manuel Fangio with five, career rival Lewis Hamilton with seven, and hero/later mentor Michael Schumacher also with seven. He has currently achieved 53 race victories (third all time), 57 poles (fourth all time), and 122 podium finishes (third of all time) in his 290 race career.
Vettel has also made headlines with his support of various causes, whether it be bees, condemning human rights abuses, supporting the LGBTQ+ community, protesting racial injustice, and promoting various climate based initiatives/concerns.
Many in the motorsports community paid tribute to the German driver throughout the day on social media.
Current F1 Teams
Aston Martin
Sebastian, you have inspired so many throughout your career, both in #F1 and beyond.
We’re proud to call you a teammate, a friend and to have been part of your journey, just as you have been part of ours. 💚 pic.twitter.com/PMKkn3uoF4
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 28, 2022
Red Bull
Danke, Seb 👏 Cheers for the great times and the four World Championships 🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z2D2igIJg1
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 28, 2022
Ferrari
It’s been an honour to share so many memories with you in Formula 1. Looking forward to enjoying the last few races together in the paddock.
Ti vogliamo bene, #Seb5 ❤️
Best of luck for your future challenges in life 👊 #essereFerrari🔴 @f1 pic.twitter.com/JiLO6WiowX— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 28, 2022
AlphaTauri
thanks for all the memories & bringing us our first win, Seb! 🏆❤️ pic.twitter.com/zjVT7otipx
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) July 28, 2022
Alfa Romeo
A legend of the sport. We were with you when your journey started, we will celebrate your career with you when it ends 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ghc4kjwkvP
— Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN (@alfaromeoorlen) July 28, 2022
Williams
A lover of F1 history who has enjoyed a remarkable career 👏
Congratulations on all your achievements, Seb. Enjoy your retirement! 🤝#WeAreWilliams pic.twitter.com/616DYYUSWf
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) July 28, 2022
Alpine
Congratulations on all you have achieved, and will inevitably go on to achieve, Sebastian.
A total legend of our sport. 💙 pic.twitter.com/nfr6ChkF45
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) July 28, 2022
McLaren
Legend status. 👑 Congratulations on a remarkable career, Sebastian Vettel.
A champion on and off the track. pic.twitter.com/KU6fZABpNA
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 28, 2022
Mercedes
We'll miss you, Seb ❤️
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 28, 2022
Current F1 Drivers
Congrats Seb, on an amazing career. I’m very happy to have shared the track with you, let’s make your last races great once more 🤝 pic.twitter.com/WnKCuotv0T
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 28, 2022
Incredible to think that after so many years racing together #SebastianVettel will not longer be on the grid with us.
Happy retirement! I’m very proud of you and proud of everything you achieved in the sport.
It’s now time to enjoy family and life!#FroheWeihnachten 😬 pic.twitter.com/SiCe8HVyvp— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) July 28, 2022
THANK YOU SEB!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Let’s finish this season on a high with some proper racing!!
–#Carlossainz pic.twitter.com/Sl5GCjzrab
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 28, 2022
I will always cherish every moment we’ve spent together and I really look forward to the many more to come.
I’m sure this next chapter is going to be as thrilling and enriching as the previous one and I truly wish you and your family all the best for the future.
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 28, 2022
Seb, it’s been an honour to call you a competitor and an ever greater honour to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man. pic.twitter.com/eHVmOpov2m
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 28, 2022
Enjoy your retirement Seb, you’re a true F1 legend! You’ll be missed mate. pic.twitter.com/TgWJA6i2vq
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) July 28, 2022
Forever a legend of the sport. We will miss you dearly. Danke Seb. pic.twitter.com/F9KfX9Vjqo
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) July 28, 2022
Daniel reflects on his time with former teammate Sebastian Vettel. 👇😊pic.twitter.com/S4AWN9y7Z7
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 28, 2022
A guy I looked up to since I started, literally. Thanks for being the role model we need and improving the sport we love. Danke Seb pic.twitter.com/1qe3nwiGP1
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) July 28, 2022
Teammates. 💚🤝@lance_stroll shares his thoughts after Seb's announcement.#F1 #ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/Yto3X1duri
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 28, 2022
Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to the sport we both love, I can’t wait for our last races together. Thank you, Seb – you’re an inspiration pic.twitter.com/oGEN4YLwHX
— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) July 28, 2022
Others
Formula 1
There is only one Sebastian Vettel 😊#F1 #ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/8fhiIvQNWM
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2022
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
As Sebastian Vettel has just announced his retirement at the end of 2022, I would like to pay tribute to his fantastic career with 4 @FIA @F1 World Driver’s Championships & 53 wins. Thank you Sebastian for all that you brought to our sport! I wish you all the best for the future. pic.twitter.com/mQIU795ngV
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) July 28, 2022
2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg
Congratulations Seb on an amazing career! One of the rivals I most respected – an absolute legend of the sport. 4 titles is a massive achievement and well deserved.
All the best for the future!— Nico Rosberg (@NicoRosberg) July 28, 2022
…And don’t brake too early… 😉 pic.twitter.com/Ajvx5YB1Js
— Daniil Kvyat (@kvyatofficial) July 28, 2022
Antonio Giovinazzi
“Voi siete la squadra Rossa, appassionati, non vi arrenderete mai! La mia fermata sta arrivando, mi è piaciuto stare con voi. Ho sentito la vostra magia, che sensazione straordinaria”.
Grazie di tutto Seb ❤️#Vettel pic.twitter.com/BVmEObyGLt— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) July 28, 2022
Racing Pride
“I’m gonna use my voice…because we should all be the same and we should all be allowed to love who we love”.
Seb, we will never be able to thank you enough for supporting Racing Pride & the whole #LGBTQ+ community.
4 x World Champion on track🏆
Inspiration off it 💚#Vettel pic.twitter.com/magPiEqsCl
— Racing Pride (@RacingPrideHQ) July 28, 2022
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson
Congratulations on an amazing career, my friend. I hope you’re more successful at retiring than I am. #ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/vNc6oVGN4o
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) July 28, 2022
About the author
Michael has watched NASCAR for 20 years and regularly covered the sport from 2013-2021, and also formerly covered the SRX series from 2021-2023. He now covers the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and road course events in the NASCAR Cup Series.
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