Sebastian Vettel decided to retire from Formula 1 after a 16-year-long career. He ended his career by being the fourth most statistically successful driver having four titles, and 53 Grand Prix wins.
When Vettel retired, whoever ever loved F1 didn’t want Vettel to leave. Though behind his peak, he was still better than a significant majority of the current drivers on the grid.
If a comparison can be put, he was somewhat similar to Tom Brady in this case, who was still in the capacity to play in NFL even though he has crossed 40. But he decided to retire at the start of 2022, right after the season ended.
A few months later, Vettel decided to implement his retirement from last November. But the problem is both sporting legends chose to have different paths after their retirement even though they had similar reasons.
Old friends.
Ahead of Sebastian Vettel’s retirement from #F1, Team Principal Mike Krack looked back on Seb’s incredible legacy and how the four-time world champion evolved since they first joined forces in 2007.
Tap below to watch. #DankeSeb
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) December 5, 2022
Also read: Esteban Ocon won’t give any special treatment to newcomer Pierre Gasly
The mistake Sebastian Vettel wouldn’t want to do
Brady, after a few months, reappeared publicly and reversed his retirement. Within 40 days of his announcement, he was back to play for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And it severely affected his married life.
One of the biggest believed reasons for his divorce from his wife of 13 years, Gisele Bündchen, was his return to play football. Fast forward to 2023, and after playing another season in NFL, he has decided to retire forever this time.
Report: Tom Brady’s ex wife Gisele helped him come to a decision to retire, per @nypost @NFL_DovKleiman
They are on cordial terms with one another after their divorce last fall. pic.twitter.com/nvzs3MrzE0
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 9, 2023
On the other hand, Vettel also decided to retire from the sport. However, he constantly got advised to come back as they suggested he still got it. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said that Vettel would eventually return like his idol Michael Schumacher.
But it seems like for Vettel, F1 is the past. Even though, like Brady, who once reasoned that he had only lived football to come back, Vettel has also lived motorsports throughout his life. But now, he thinks he wants to give time to his family before it’s too late.
Despite all the insistence, he hasn’t returned to F1 for some other team, even having vacancies until December, and is sticking to his promise. For Vettel, it’s past now. Maybe a consultancy role could someday happen, but F1 would never be the same for him.
Nico Rosberg thinks Vettel can pull a Brady
While it’s natural to feel that Vettel and Brady have several similarities, both are among the best in their respective sports and have long and decorated careers, which others can only dream of.
They even had a long romance turned into a marriage. So the similarities are uncanny. Probably that’s why others think Vettel could return in F1 or some other motorsport.
Former F1 champion and Vettel’s compatriot Nico Rosberg also thinks Vettel will pull a Brady. However, for Vettel, the priorities are now different. 2022 was indeed his last dance.
Also read: Lewis Hamilton & Co Are Free To Speak But Not Every time; Clarifies FIA
