Sebastian Vettel: Retirement and Life After F1

Few Formula 1 drivers leave the sport while still at their peak, but Sebastian Vettel did exactly that when he retired at the end of 2022, walking away with 53 race wins and a reputation for fierce competitiveness. His real story since then has been about environmental activism and family life.

World Championships: 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) ·
Race Wins: 53 ·
Pole Positions: 57 ·
Grands Prix: 300 ·
Age at First Title: 23 years, 134 days ·
Retirement Year: 2022

Eight key facts about Sebastian Vettel, one pattern: his rapid rise to the top followed by an equally swift exit into a life beyond racing.

What happened to Sebastian Vettel?

Retirement announcement and final season

• Vettel announced his retirement from Formula 1 in July 2022, stating that “being a racing driver has never been my sole identity” (Motorsport Magazine).
• His final race was the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November (Wikipedia).

Post-F1 public appearances

• Since retiring, Vettel has attended select races as a guest and has not ruled out a return in some capacity (ESPN).
• He also drove Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams at Silverstone in 2022 using carbon-neutral fuels (ESPN).

The implication: his retirement was a conscious choice to redefine his public identity.

Why did Vettel retire so early?

Personal reasons and family focus

• In his retirement announcement, Vettel said he wanted to be “a great father and a great husband” (Motorsport Magazine).
• He has three children with his wife Hanna Prater (Wikipedia).

Environmental concerns and activism

• Vettel has said climate change made him question his job as an F1 driver traveling the world to race cars (ESPN).
• He measured his carbon footprint by recording car kilometers, flights, and overnight stays, and cut out most flights in his final season (ESPN).

Performance decline and team changes

• After dominating with Red Bull, Vettel’s performance at Ferrari and later Aston Martin did not match his earlier success—he won only one race after 2013 (Wikipedia).

The pattern: these three factors converged to make early retirement the logical choice.

What is Vettel doing now?

Environmental activism and projects

• During the pandemic, Vettel opened a bee farm as part of a sustainability project (ESPN).
• He joined volunteers at Silverstone to pick up litter after the 2021 British Grand Prix (ESPN).
• In his final F1 season, he drove to European races by car instead of flying (ESPN).

Family life and hobbies

• Vettel lives in Switzerland with his wife Hanna and their three children (Wikipedia).
• He has described spending time with his family as his top priority after racing (Motorsport Magazine).

Occasional F1 appearances and mentoring

• Vettel has not ruled out a return to F1 in a non-driving role, saying he “wouldn’t say no” to the right opportunity (ESPN).
• He has been spotted at races as a guest and remains in touch with the sport.

The catch: his post-retirement activism gives him a different kind of influence, but one that is harder to monetize.

Why did Ferrari get rid of Vettel?

Performance struggles and team dynamics

• Ferrari did not renew Vettel’s contract after the 2020 season, a decision influenced by his struggles to match teammate Charles Leclerc (Wikipedia).
• He finished 13th in the 2020 drivers’ standings, his worst season since his debut.

Contract negotiations and decision

• Vettel’s contract negotiations broke down in early 2020, and Ferrari announced in May that they would not extend his deal (ESPN).
• He was replaced by Carlos Sainz for the 2021 season.

Move to Aston Martin

• Vettel signed with Aston Martin for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, replacing Sergio Pérez (Wikipedia).
• He scored a career-best sixth place in 2021 and fifth in 2022, but never challenged for podiums.

The implication: the split was a business decision, not a personal one.

“It was a difficult decision, but we felt it was time for a change.”

— Mattia Binotto, Ferrari team principal, ESPN

How rich is Sebastian Vettel?

Career earnings and salary

• During his F1 career, Vettel earned more than $100 million in salary alone, with peak annual earnings around $50 million at Ferrari (Wikipedia).

Endorsements and investments

• He has had endorsement deals with brands including BMW and Red Bull (Wikipedia).
• His personal investments include sustainable agriculture and green technology projects.

Net worth estimates

• As of 2025, Vettel’s net worth is estimated at approximately $140 million (Celebrity Net Worth).

The pattern: his post-retirement income is likely lower, but his investments align with his values.

Sebastian Vettel’s career timeline

Ten key dates map Vettel’s journey from a small German town to the pinnacle of motorsport and beyond.

The takeaway: his career was unusually short for a multiple champion, but his influence continues.

“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula 1, but I also have other interests and passions. I believe in change, and progress, and that every little bit you do can make a difference.”

— Sebastian Vettel, Motorsport Magazine

“Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I want to be a great father and a great husband.”

— Sebastian Vettel, Motorsport Magazine

For Vettel, the decision to retire was never solely about performance. It was a choice to reshape his identity beyond the cockpit. His post-F1 life—bees, litter picks, driving to races—reflects a man who still moves fast, but in a different direction. For the F1 world, the loss of a champion is balanced by the emergence of an unexpected environmental advocate.

For more insight into the environmental and family-focused shift he has made, read about life after F1 for Sebastian Vettel.

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