How the F1 paddock reacted to Vettel's shock retirement announcement

"We fancy our chances at every circuit. We are competitive everywhere.

"I go into every weekend thinking that we can win it.

"We all strive for clean weekends but, in F1, they are difficult.

"There is still a long year ahead. Anything can happen in every race."

"I wish him all the best. For me, since the beginning, he has been a great role model.

"I was privileged enough to be the simulator driver when he was at his peak, at Red Bull.

"I got an insight into how to be successful like he was.

"In those years he would stop to talk with me, to give me advice.

"He is an ambassador for the younger generation. 

"Everyone in the paddock loves him. You won't hear anyone speak bad about Seb."

"Definitely not the long debriefs!"

"He's achieved so much in this sport, he's been a great teammate. I've enjoyed working alongside Seb for the last year and a half. It's been great. He's achieved so much.

"This is a chapter in his life that he's moving on from and he has a family at home & other things to look forward to. It's been an incredible career for him."

"This is a track where they will be very strong. I don't know how much rain will fall."

"He has achieved so much. It is understandable to retire. He had an amazing career. He is a great ambassador.

"To see him go? You can see it coming. We get older, we retire. It is never nice when that moment comes.

"It is important he enjoys his family. F1 is such a short period in your life. Now it's time to enjoy it."

"I feel very proud of Seb and what he’s achieved. He’s a great legend of the sport, a great guy.

"He’s always been very fair, very vocal. He’s been very successful, has a beautiful family.

"It’s everything you would hope for a colleague to achieve, so I’m very proud of him. I wish him the best, to him and his family." 

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

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

Danke, Seb Cheers for the great times and the four World Championships pic.twitter.com/Z2D2igIJg1

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) 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

Little did we know on 27th September 2005, this guy tested a F1 car for the first time.

17 years later, he is loved by millions of fans around the world and won everything in the sport he loves

Sebastian Vettel, F1 Legend. pic.twitter.com/JEQhaHkFEJ

— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) July 28, 2022

“I hear by announce my retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. Probably I should start with a long list of people to thank but I feel it is more important to explain the reasons behind my decision.

"I love this sport, it has been central to my life since I can remember. But as much as there is life on track, there is my life off track too. Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity.

"I very much believe in identity by who we are and how we treat others, rather than what we do. Who am I? I’m Sebastian, father of three children and husband to a wonderful woman. I am curious and easily fascinated by passionate or skilled people, I am obsessed with perfection. I am tolerant and feel like we all have the same rights to live, no matter what we look like, where we come from and who we love.

"I love being outside, I love nature and its wonders. I’m stubborn and impatient, I can be really annoying. I like to make people laugh, I like chocolate and the smell of fresh bread. My favourite colour is blue. I believe in change and progress and every little bit makes a d9fference. I am an optimist and I believe people are good.

"Next to racing, I have grown a family who I love being around. I’ve grown other interests outside of Formula 1. 

“My passion with racing and Formula 1 comes with lots of time spent away from them, and takes a lot of energy. Committing to my passion the way I did and the way I think it is right, does no longer go side by side with my wish to be a great father and husband. The energy it takes to become one with the car and the team, to chase perfection takes focus and commitment.

"My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to see my children grow, passing on my values, helping them up when they fall, listening to them when they need me. Not having to say goodbye, and most importantly, being able to learn from them and let them inspire me. Children are our future, further I feel there is so much to explore and learn about life and about myself. 

“Speaking of the future, I feel we live in very decisive times. And how we all shape these next years will determine our lives. My passion comes with certain aspects that I have learned to dislike. They might be solved in the future, but the will to apply that change has to grow much, much stronger and has to be leading to action today.

"Talk is not enough and we cannot afford to wait. There is no alternative. The race is underway. My best race is still to come. I believe in moving forward and moving on. Time is a one way street and I want to go with the times. Looking back is only going to slow you down. I look forward to racing down unknown tracks and will be finding new challenges.

"The marks I left on track will stay until time and rain will wash them away. New ones will be put down. Tomorrow belongs to those shaping today. The next corner is in good hands as the new generation has already turned in. I believe that there is still a race to win.

"Farewell, thanks for letting me share the track with you. I loved every bit of it.”

"We made it clear to (Vettel) that we wanted him to continue with us next year, but in the end he has done what he feels is right for himself and his family, and of course we respect that."

“Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I very much believe in identity by who we are and how we treat others rather than what we do.”

Just watch Sebastian Vettel delete his Instagram now after announcing his retirement.

That would be the ultimate move.

— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) July 28, 2022

“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula One over the past 15 years - there are far too many to mention and thank. Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver - and, although our results have not been as good as we had hoped, it is very clear to me that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come."

His explanation in full...

*Sad noises*

We will miss you, Seb #F1pic.twitter.com/axQnSP2LJV

— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) July 28, 2022

ASTONISHING breaking news.

Read here!

Everything we know about a story which could rock F1 2023!

Sebastian Vettel is now on Social Media!

He is officially on Instagram and already has over 300k followers #F1pic.twitter.com/rIyyPvq1S9

— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) July 28, 2022