Sebastian Vettel: Retirement, Net Worth, and What He’s Doing Now

Most four-time Formula One world champions stay in the sport until their legs give out. Sebastian Vettel did the opposite: he walked away at 35, just when a cushy final chapter seemed possible.

World Championships: 4 ·
Grand Prix wins: 53 ·
Podiums: 122 ·
Pole positions: 57 ·
Age when first champion: 23 years 134 days ·
F1 seasons: 15

Eight key facts about Sebastian Vettel, from his early career to his current pursuits.

What happened to Sebastian Vettel?

His retirement announcement

• Vettel announced his retirement from Formula One in July 2022, effective at the end of the season (Wikipedia).
• He cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason (ESPN).

Final race with Aston Martin

• His last F1 race was the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Wikipedia).
• He had driven for Aston Martin for two seasons (2021-2022) after leaving Ferrari (South China Morning Post).

Post-F1 activities

• Since retiring, Vettel has devoted himself to environmental activism, including sustainable farming and reducing his own carbon footprint (CNN).

The implication: Vettel’s departure from F1 was driven by a combination of personal and principled factors, not a loss of competitive edge.

What is Vettel doing now?

Environmental activism

• During his final season, Vettel drove himself to all but two European races to reduce his carbon footprint (ESPN).
• He measured his carbon footprint by recording car kilometres, flights, and overnight stays (ESPN).
• He wore a T-shirt at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix reading “206 – first prix underwater Act Now or Swim Later” (CNN).
• He denounced Alberta oil sands extraction in June 2022, calling it “Canada’s climate crime” (Wikipedia).

Family life

• Vettel has three children with his wife Hanna (the couple have kept details private). (Times of India (Indian news outlet))

Potential return?

• Vettel has repeatedly stated he has no plans to return to F1 as a driver (South China Morning Post).

The pattern: Vettel’s post-racing identity is built on direct environmental action rather than media tours.

Why did Vettel retire so early?

Burnout and motivation

• Vettel admitted he felt he had achieved everything in the sport and wanted a new challenge (CNN).

Family priorities

• He explicitly cited spending more time with his young children as a key factor (ESPN).

Disillusionment with F1 direction

• Vettel expressed concerns about Formula One’s environmental footprint and the direction of the sport (CNN).

The catch: His retirement reveals how even the most successful athletes can re-evaluate priorities when the sport conflicts with personal values.

Why did Ferrari get rid of Vettel?

Performance decline

• Vettel’s results in 2020 were underwhelming, finishing 13th in the drivers’ standings (South China Morning Post).

Team dynamics

• Charles Leclerc rapidly emerged as Ferrari’s team leader and the team chose to build around him (ESPN).

Contract negotiations

• Ferrari and Vettel could not agree on a new contract after 2020, leading to his departure (South China Morning Post).

The pattern: Ferrari’s decision to rebuild around a younger driver is a recurring theme in F1 team management.

Who is the youngest world champion in F1?

Vettel’s record

• Vettel became the youngest Formula One world champion at 23 years 134 days in 2010, a record that still stands (Wikipedia).

Previous record holders

• He broke Lewis Hamilton’s record, who had been champion at 23 years 300 days in 2008 (Wikipedia).

Current contenders

• Max Verstappen became the second youngest champion at 24 years 73 days in 2021 (Times of India).

The implication: The record highlights Vettel’s extraordinary early performance, which remains unmatched.

Are any F1 drivers LGBTQ?

The absence of openly LGBTQ drivers

• No current Formula One driver is openly LGBTQ (CNN).

Vettel’s support for LGBTQ rights

• Vettel has worn rainbow helmets and supported Pride initiatives, becoming one of the sport’s most vocal allies (CNN).

Initiatives in F1

• Formula One launched the “We Race As One” campaign to promote diversity and inclusion (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Vettel’s activism extends into social causes, making him a broader advocate beyond climate issues.

“Do I need to fly every time? No, especially when I can drive.”

Sebastian Vettel, quoted by CNN (Global news broadcaster)

For the fans waiting for a Vettel comeback, the implication is clear: his retirement was not a sabbatical but a full stop. For the environmental movement, his post-F1 life is a rare and powerful example of a global sports figure walking away from the carbon-heavy machine that made him famous. The trade-off Vettel made—choosing advocacy over another season—has set a new benchmark for what athlete activism can look like.

Related reading: Adrian Newey · Billy Monger

After leaving Formula 1, the four-time champion redirected his focus entirely, and Sebastian Vettels post-F1 life offers a detailed look at his transition to environmental advocacy.

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