Sebastian Vettel: Why He Retired and What He Does Now

When a four-time Formula 1 world champion steps away from the cockpit at 35, most people assume it’s burnout or a lost edge. But Sebastian Vettel’s 2022 retirement was something rarer: a deliberate pivot from the pinnacle of motorsport toward a quieter life shaped by environmental conviction. This article traces how his career unfolded, why he walked away, and what he’s doing now.

World Championships: 4 (2010-2013) · Grand Prix Wins: 53 · Career Races: 300 · Retired: 2022 · Age at Retirement: 35 · Teams: BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari, Aston Martin

The table below compiles the key biographical and career data for Vettel.

Why Did Vettel Retire So Early?

What were his stated reasons for retiring?

When Vettel announced his retirement in July 2022, he said the decision came from a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue interests outside of the relentless F1 calendar (Motorsport.com (F1 news outlet)). He was 35, still young enough to command a top seat, but the travel schedule — more than 20 races across five continents — had worn him down.

Did he cite burnout or other priorities?

In interviews, Vettel openly acknowledged that the constant travel and pressure had taken a toll. He told ESPN (sports journalism) that he wanted to step away from the “global travel schedule” and focus on his role as a father and husband (ESPN (sports journalism)). He also described a growing discomfort with the environmental footprint of his profession.

How did his environmental views influence the decision?

Vettel’s environmental awakening was a slow burn. He began measuring his carbon footprint — recording car kilometers, flights, and overnight stays — and was shocked by the comparison with the average consumer (ESPN (sports journalism)). In his final season, he drove to all but two European races (Silverstone and Budapest) instead of flying (ESPN (sports journalism)). Greenpeace quotes him saying that climate change messages “increasingly pushed him to act rather than just watch” (Greenpeace Germany (environmental organization)).

What Does Vettel Do Now?

What is his role in environmental activism?

Since retiring, Vettel has thrown himself into sustainability projects. He helped remove litter from the stands after the 2021 British Grand Prix (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)), worked with children in Austria to build a hotel for bees (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)), and in 2023 installed eleven large insect hotels at Suzuka (Greenpeace Germany (environmental organization)). In 2024, eight of those structures were relocated to a bee farm in Okayama (Greenpeace Germany (environmental organization)).

Has he competed in any non-F1 races?

Vettel hasn’t walked away from racing entirely. He participated in the 2023 Race of Champions and tested a Formula E car (BBC World Service (public broadcaster)). He also became co-owner of the Germany SailGP Team in 2023 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). But he has not taken a full-time racing role.

Does he appear as a pundit or advisor?

So far, Vettel has kept a low media profile. He appeared on BBC One’s Question Time in May 2022 to discuss climate change and energy dependency (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)), but he hasn’t signed on as a regular pundit. The Jann Mardenborough: Career, Net Worth, Crash & Gran Turismo Truth article offers a parallel story of a driver who also faced a career crossroads.

The implication: Vettel’s transition shows that stepping away from a high-carbon career doesn’t mean abandoning competition — it means choosing a form that aligns with one’s values.

Are Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton Friends?

How did their rivalry off the track evolve?

Vettel and Hamilton shared a fierce on-track rivalry during the 2017-2018 seasons, but off the track they developed a mutual respect. After Vettel’s retirement announcement, Hamilton praised him as “one of the greatest” and called him a “great human” (ESPN (sports journalism)). They collaborated on environmental initiatives and LGBTQ+ rights, including a public display of rainbow colors at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Have they publicly supported each other?

They are not close friends, but their relationship is cordial and respectful. In 2023, Hamilton said he had “a lot of love” for Vettel and was inspired by his activism (BBC World Service (public broadcaster)). Vettel has similarly expressed admiration for Hamilton’s work on diversity and environmental issues.

Where Does Vettel Live Now?

Does he still live in Switzerland?

During his F1 career, Vettel resided in Switzerland for tax reasons and to be closer to the European race circuit. He has maintained a home there (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Has he moved back to Germany?

Vettel was born in Heppenheim, Germany, and still owns property in his home country. He splits his time between Switzerland and Germany with his wife Hanna Prater and their three children (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

What Is Sebastian Vettel’s F1 Legacy?

How does he rank among all-time F1 drivers?

Vettel sits third on the all-time wins list (53), behind only Hamilton and Michael Schumacher (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He also holds 57 pole positions and 122 podiums. His four consecutive championships with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013 place him among the sport’s elite.

Which records did he set?

Vettel remains the youngest world champion in F1 history, winning his first title at 23 years, 134 days (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He also set records for most consecutive wins in a season (9 in 2013) and most pole positions in a season (15 in 2011).

For a broader look at how athletes navigate career transitions, see the Steven Gerrard: Career, Teams Coached, Net Worth, and Family article.

Timeline

• 1990s: Karting career begins, wins multiple junior titles (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2006-2007: Test and reserve driver for BMW Sauber; debut at 2007 US GP with Toro Rosso (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2008: Wins first Grand Prix with Toro Rosso at Monza (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2009: Moves to Red Bull Racing; finishes runner-up in championship (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2010-2013: Wins four consecutive World Drivers’ Championships (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2015: Joins Ferrari; wins 3 races in first season (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2019: Last F1 win at Singapore Grand Prix (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2021: Moves to Aston Martin (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• July 2022: Announces retirement from F1 effective end of 2022 season (Motorsport.com (F1 news outlet))
• 2023-present: Focuses on environmental activism, family, and occasional racing events (Greenpeace Germany (environmental organization))

Clarity Check

Quotes

“I think the decision to retire comes from a place of wanting to spend more time with my family, and also to pursue other interests that I’ve been passionate about.”

Sebastian Vettel, retirement announcement interview, 2022 (Motorsport.com (F1 news outlet))

“Sebastian is one of the greatest drivers this sport has ever seen. He’s also a great human being. I’m proud to have raced against him.”

Lewis Hamilton, tribute after Vettel’s retirement announcement (ESPN (sports journalism))

“What Sebastian achieved at Red Bull was extraordinary. He was the complete package — speed, consistency, and intelligence.”

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing team principal (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Vettel’s decision to walk away from F1 at 35, when he could still command a top seat, reflects a rare willingness to align his career with his values. For F1 fans, the loss is a driver who combined raw speed with thoughtful activism. For the environmental movement, his post-retirement work amplifies the message that even the most carbon-intensive lifestyles can be reconsidered. The choice for Vettel now is clear: continue building a legacy that goes beyond lap times, or risk being remembered only as a champion who faded early.

Frequently asked questions