Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
The legendary German driver is currently down in 14th position in the 2022 Drivers' standings, a consequence of recording just four top-10 finishes in his Aston Martin.
However, after 15 years of being involved at the highest level of the sport, the veteran is preparing to hang up his helmet after a glittering career.
Vettel's glory years came with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 as he won each of his four world titles during that period, also posting 34 of his 53 career victories.
It had been hoped that a move to Ferrari in time for the 2015 campaign would spark a resurgence for the Italian manufacturer, but his best effort was runners-up finishes in 2017 and 2018.
© Reuters
The latter stages of his career have been spent further down the track, his only podium since starting life with Aston Martin in 2021 being a second in Azerbaijan.
Speaking on the official Aston Martin website, Vettel said: "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.
"The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it; at the end of the year I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next; it is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family. But today is not about saying goodbye."
BREAKING: Sebastian Vettel has announced he will retire from F1 at the end of the 2022 season
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2022
4 world titles
53 race wins
122 podiums
1 phenomenal career#ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/K8BVXI6IAx
As it stands, Vettel has made 289 starts in Formula 1, his 53 wins being complemented by a further 69 finishes in second or third position.
His first Grand Prix success came in Italy in 2008, his most recent occurring 11 years later in Singapore.
Should Vettel complete the season as planned, participating in the concluding 10 races will see him sit one race short of reaching 300 starts.
Vettel's next outing will come in Hungary this weekend as he looks to improve on his 11th spot in France on Sunday.
Darren Plant
