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Unfortunate, although not exactly surprising news, as most of you probably know. Today, Vettel announced that he'd be retiring at the end of the 2022 season. In this thread, we will take a quick look at his highly successful career.
Ever since his first victory at the wheel of the mediocre STR2B in Monza, he was referred to as the Baby Schumi, and rightly so, as that day he proved he has what it takes to win a championship...and then some. The following year, he'd be promoted to Red Bull, and then winning a Grand Prix was no longer a rare treat for the young German. After a mouth-watering 2009 season, the following year would greatly impact Formula 1 as it would crown the youngest ever World Champion. From there, Vettel enjoyed a streak of success, claiming four titles in a row, and, in 2013, winning an incredible nine Grand Prix victories in a row, another record for the series.
Vettel bowing before the mighty RB9.
However, as it always goes, nothing lasts forever. Ever since the testing for the 2014 season it was clear Red Bull were on the backfoot. After a year of great struggle, Red Bull would only score three victories, all in the name of Daniel Ricciardo, who was also the only non-Mercedes driver to win a Grand Prix that year. Vettel then promptly made the decision to leave Red Bull in search of the next journey. This time, he headed to Ferrari.
Vettel celebrating his 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix triumph.
Red Bull weren't the only ones struggling with the 2014 rule changes. As mentioned, only Mercedes and Red Bull would see the chequered flag first during the year. Ferrari's best results were two podiums, courtesy of Fernando Alonso. However, Vettel, along with everyone else knew this struggle would not last long for the veteran team, and indeed in only his second attempt for the Scuderia Vettel managed to cross the line first. This would be one of the many of his final victories he would achieve during his career.
Try as he might, Vettel just couldn't prevail over Hamilton over a season.
Unfortunately, however, some things just aren't meant to be. One of those things was winning a title for the Maranello outfit. Up to this day, the last driver's championship won by a Ferrari driver was none other than Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, and even then, by just a single point. 2008 would also be the last time the Scuderia would win on the constructor's title. Vettel fiercely battled Lewis Hamilton for three years, 2017 through 2019, but never quite enough to claim a fifth title. After 2019, Ferrari hit another dip in performance, and would finish a lowly sixth in the constructors in 2020, their worst year in decades.
Even after all the struggles, Vettel has every reason to smile as a four-time World Champion.
2021 then brings us to the final chapter in Vettel's Formula 1 storybook. Once again as a result of poor results, Vettel decided to switch teams, one last song during his already impressive performance. Speaking of songs, Vettel's honor and modesty meant he would write a departure song for Ferrari at the end of his last Grand Prix for the team. He has reflected this nature throughout his entire career. Examples would be defending Lewis Hamilton against an inappropriate question in a press conference, cleaning up the litter of the Grand Prix attendance, as well as being a mentor figure for Mick Schumacher, the son of the seven-time World Champion, Michael, whom Vettel idolized and whom many in the paddock compared him to.
After an impressive 2020 season for Racing Point, they then rebranded as Aston Martin for 2021. They could, however, not replicate the same success, as most of it undeniably fell onto their notorious Pink Mercedes chassis. Vettel did stand on the podium twice, but unfortunately the last time was made obsolete after the team failed to provide the mandatory fuel sample.
Vettel has hit many bumps during his career, but he will always be remembered as the humorous, smiling prodigy youth.
Figured I'd make a tribute thread for him. Was honestly surprised no one made a thread yet.
Anywho, it's sad to see him go, but it honestly didn't surprise me one bit. Ever since 2019 it felt like he passed the torch to Leclerc, and that he wouldn't get into a Grand Prix winning team again. On the other hand I'm happy, because this opens the door for a rookie next year, and I swear to god, if it's not Piastri...
Also geez I hope I fixed all the typos now.
Ever since his first victory at the wheel of the mediocre STR2B in Monza, he was referred to as the Baby Schumi, and rightly so, as that day he proved he has what it takes to win a championship...and then some. The following year, he'd be promoted to Red Bull, and then winning a Grand Prix was no longer a rare treat for the young German. After a mouth-watering 2009 season, the following year would greatly impact Formula 1 as it would crown the youngest ever World Champion. From there, Vettel enjoyed a streak of success, claiming four titles in a row, and, in 2013, winning an incredible nine Grand Prix victories in a row, another record for the series.
Vettel bowing before the mighty RB9.
However, as it always goes, nothing lasts forever. Ever since the testing for the 2014 season it was clear Red Bull were on the backfoot. After a year of great struggle, Red Bull would only score three victories, all in the name of Daniel Ricciardo, who was also the only non-Mercedes driver to win a Grand Prix that year. Vettel then promptly made the decision to leave Red Bull in search of the next journey. This time, he headed to Ferrari.
Vettel celebrating his 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix triumph.
Red Bull weren't the only ones struggling with the 2014 rule changes. As mentioned, only Mercedes and Red Bull would see the chequered flag first during the year. Ferrari's best results were two podiums, courtesy of Fernando Alonso. However, Vettel, along with everyone else knew this struggle would not last long for the veteran team, and indeed in only his second attempt for the Scuderia Vettel managed to cross the line first. This would be one of the many of his final victories he would achieve during his career.
Try as he might, Vettel just couldn't prevail over Hamilton over a season.
Unfortunately, however, some things just aren't meant to be. One of those things was winning a title for the Maranello outfit. Up to this day, the last driver's championship won by a Ferrari driver was none other than Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, and even then, by just a single point. 2008 would also be the last time the Scuderia would win on the constructor's title. Vettel fiercely battled Lewis Hamilton for three years, 2017 through 2019, but never quite enough to claim a fifth title. After 2019, Ferrari hit another dip in performance, and would finish a lowly sixth in the constructors in 2020, their worst year in decades.
Even after all the struggles, Vettel has every reason to smile as a four-time World Champion.
2021 then brings us to the final chapter in Vettel's Formula 1 storybook. Once again as a result of poor results, Vettel decided to switch teams, one last song during his already impressive performance. Speaking of songs, Vettel's honor and modesty meant he would write a departure song for Ferrari at the end of his last Grand Prix for the team. He has reflected this nature throughout his entire career. Examples would be defending Lewis Hamilton against an inappropriate question in a press conference, cleaning up the litter of the Grand Prix attendance, as well as being a mentor figure for Mick Schumacher, the son of the seven-time World Champion, Michael, whom Vettel idolized and whom many in the paddock compared him to.
After an impressive 2020 season for Racing Point, they then rebranded as Aston Martin for 2021. They could, however, not replicate the same success, as most of it undeniably fell onto their notorious Pink Mercedes chassis. Vettel did stand on the podium twice, but unfortunately the last time was made obsolete after the team failed to provide the mandatory fuel sample.
Vettel has hit many bumps during his career, but he will always be remembered as the humorous, smiling prodigy youth.
Figured I'd make a tribute thread for him. Was honestly surprised no one made a thread yet.
Anywho, it's sad to see him go, but it honestly didn't surprise me one bit. Ever since 2019 it felt like he passed the torch to Leclerc, and that he wouldn't get into a Grand Prix winning team again. On the other hand I'm happy, because this opens the door for a rookie next year, and I swear to god, if it's not Piastri...
Also geez I hope I fixed all the typos now.
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