Sebastian Vettel Aiming to Retire on his own Terms

There are a lot of young and upcoming drivers just itching to step up into Formula One. So, this poses a huge threat to the current drivers, who could be booted out if they are not careful. Among them are veteran drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

However, Vettel is confident that the upsurge of next generation drivers will not force him off the grid. Admittedly, his future has come under the scanner on many an occasion in 2019. It is also note-worthy that the 4-time world champion has been openly frustrated with the direction of the sport.

With the much younger Charles Leclerc having the measure of an error-prone Vettel, some have wondered if Vettel still has it in him. Amid scores of young drivers breathing down his neck for the Ferrari seat, the 32-year-old is confident that he isn’t past his prime.

“No, certainly not. I think age is not as crucial to us as it is in some other sports and in the end, it’s the same with every sport – if you’re good enough, you’re still young enough,” he told GPFans.

“I have been in Formula 1 for 12 years now and therefore I have a very different perspective than before.

“I judge things with a little more distance and not so quickly. It’s the luxury of having a few years on the clock. I do not intend to retire in the foreseeable future. I enjoy racing a lot.

However he has confessed that after 12 years in the sport, he does look ahead towards the future. Sebastian Vettel stressed on the need to feel comfortable with such a big decision and know when to stop. The German driver believes that a driver’s racing career should not be decided by outside factors.

He concluded, “For me it is clear – once I stop, then I stop and will not come back. You have to be happy and be able to say: That’s it.”