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Vettel was close to agreeing a new contract with Aston Martin
- GPblog.com
The announcement of Sebastian Vettel 's departure from Formula 1 came quite unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon. The Aston Martin driver let the world know in a message via social media that he will be leaving the premier class of motor sport after this season. For Aston Martin, Vettel's announcement was perhaps less than expected.
Vettel and Aston Martin were recently in talks about a possible contract extension. According to Auto, Motor und Sport an agreement was almost on the table, only some minor details had to be changed. In recent weeks Vettel was in doubt whether he should sign the new contract.
Vettel had to take decision
The British team had asked its driver to make a decision about his future before the summer break. This weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix is the last race before the break and so the moment was there: Vettel stops.
He says he no longer gets enough satisfaction out of it. "For this job you have to give everything. I don't get satisfaction from just driving. The sacrifices are too great. The mental effort, the time commitment and the time away from my family. I still love motorsport, but now there are enough reasons to stop," the 35-year-old driver told the German site.
No Formula E or IndyCar for now
For that very reason Vettel will not be racing in any other class next season either, he told Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz. He will first enjoy the free time that comes with leaving Formula 1. Most of his attention will be focused on his family in 2023.