Sebastian Vettel is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time with four world championships. In the last years of his career, the 35-year-old German driver has distinguished himself with his social speeches.
– Sebastian Vettel is one of the biggest names in formula one of all time.
Urheilu’s F1 expert saw it Jukka Mildh sums up the legacy of the German star who ends his career this season.
In terms of achievements, Vettel, 35, is not considered one of the sport’s biggest names for nothing. He is best remembered for his four World Drivers’ Championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013. They are only ahead of Vettel in the number of championships Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton mixed Juan Manuel Fangio. Vettel is also the youngest World Cup winner in the series.
The man born in Heppenheim has the third most wins, 53. He is also third in the number of podium places (122).
Vettel made his debut in the series at the age of 19 at the 2007 US GP, where he managed an injured Robert Kubica With a BMW Sauber. In 2008, he drove the Toro Rosso car that was on the tail end of his sensational opening win in the pouring rain at Monza.
After his successful Red Bull period, Vettel moved to Ferrari for the 2015 season, where he drove for six seasons. He formed a good-natured pair of drivers in the team for four seasons Kimi Räikkönen with.
Vettel drove the youngster for a couple of seasons Charles Leclerc as a team mate. However, Vettel was clearly overshadowed by Ferrari’s own academy driver. Vettel is now driving his second season in the Aston Martin team.
The star driver’s career has been on the decline in recent years, so the decision to quit was expected. Aston Martin’s development didn’t raise promises of better things either. The team is second to last in this season’s series of manufacturers.
– He once expected a lot from Ferrari, but it ended in failure. Knowing Aston Martin’s rocky path from now on, this was surely the right timing. He wouldn’t have had enough motivation for the wrestling that the team will have to go through in the coming years, Mildh sees.
The story continues after the pictures.
Ruthless
Over the years, Vettel’s status as champion driver has also been criticized. The four Red Bull championships were seen largely as a result of a superior car.
After Red Bull, Vettel achieved 14 victories with Ferrari, but the world championship remained a dream for the legendary team. It was a big disappointment for Vettel.
When talking about the best drivers of all time, Mildh puts Vettel in the same category, among other things Alain Prostin, Ayrton Sennawith Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
– Ferrari is a difficult environment. It was also a more difficult process for the people around him. It ate Vettel. However, it must be remembered that he fought with Ferrari for the world championship against Lewis Hamilton in 2017 and 2018.
Vettel has been known as a very outspoken person throughout his F1 career. During his Red Bull days, he teamed up with his teammates on the track several times by Mark Webber with. Also at Ferrari, strong outbursts of emotion were seen from him.
– He is a very intelligent driver and at the same time very self-motivated. He felt his own worth. Vettel had strong Red Bull backing, with which he cashed in on Red Bull’s rise to the top.
Statements and actions
In recent years, Vettel has come to the fore with his social outings. The German has spoken on behalf of sexual minorities, among other things, and he has worn a rainbow shirt. He has criticized countries like Saudi Arabia and Hungary, which organize the F1 races, for their poor human rights.
Vettel has also highlighted climate change and what F1 could do to address climate issues. For example, he has criticized fighter overflights that take place before take-offs. He has also been seen collecting trash after the Games.
In the video explaining his decision to quit, Vettel cited the importance of family as the most important reason. He also sided with his world of values.
– Vettel has always been a value-based person. Some things in formula one are probably in conflict with his own values, Mildh believes.
– He represents the thinking of a new generation in that he highlights his identity. It is no longer being a racing driver, but at the moment he is a father and a normal person.
With his success, Vettel became a driver who can use his influence to his advantage.
– Their voices are getting louder all the time. Lewis Hamilton does the same job. Drivers use their own media to benefit what they believe in. I believe that freedom of speech and different personalities are an advantage for the Formula Ones.