For many in the F1 paddock, Sebastian Vettel will not continue his Formula 1 career beyond this 2022 season.
First of all, for lack of a high-performance single-seater: the Aston Martin F1 is very far from being able to achieve the expected results and it will certainly take several years for Lawrence Stroll and his collaborators to reach the top of the slope. Then, Vettel is more and more rebellious towards F1, the FIA and the choices that are made (ecology, geopolitics, etc.)
Even though Aston Martin insists they want to keep him for 2023, there is growing speculation that the team may have to replace him. Some already give a name: Fernando Alonso.
The Spaniard, who says he wants to continue running for “two or three more years”may have to make way for Alpine F1 reserve driver Oscar Piastri.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard says other than Alpine, options for Alonso are limited.
“Fernando is still at the level of his abilities and shows his hunger and motivation. The question now is whether he will have the motivation to continue at Alpine. What am I waiting for? another place to go so I think he should wait another year to see if the team takes a step forward but that might not be his choice and in that case Aston Martin would be a logical destination. “He wants it. Because the work seems more important to do there than at Alpine.”
As for Vettel, his motivation now seems more focused on social and environmental issues and he is not shy regarding answering questions regarding retirement.
“I can stay in the race, but maybe not straight away following retiring from F1,” he said when asked what he would do if he left F1.
“I won’t be a TV consultant anyway, oh no.”
“When I started I didn’t mind finishing outside the top ten. Today that’s not why I’m here. I want to win. I don’t feel like I don’t. not drive as well as before. I have evolved a lot and my experience helps me not to stress regarding certain things.”
Gerhard Berger, who was Vettel’s first Formula 1 boss, isn’t so sure.
“It’s clear he’s not as good as he used to be. But that’s normal. In the first part of your career, you always take big risks, constantly pushing the car to the limit. Then, it balances out. At that point, you’re at your peak.”
“For me it was between 28 and 30. Then the curve goes down once more. So Sebastian is definitely not at his peak anymore, but he has so much experience that he can still be up front if he has an F1 that suits him.”