Imagine the crushing weight of expectation, the relentless pressure to perform, and the gut-wrenching moment when a champion realizes their reign is fading. Sebastian Vettel, a name synonymous with Formula 1 dominance, has bravely opened up about the decline he experienced during his later years in the sport, revealing the pivotal moments when self-doubt began to creep in. This isn't just about racing; it's a human story about ambition, family, and the inevitable ebb and flow of a career at its highest peak.
The four-time F1 World Champion, who hung up his helmet at the end of 2022, achieved legendary status between 2010 and 2013. Driving for Red Bull, he shattered records and etched his name, and the team's, into the annals of motorsport history. He became the youngest Grand Prix winner (a record later surpassed by Max Verstappen) with his stunning victory at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. Vettel still holds the record as the youngest-ever F1 World Champion, a title that stands ahead of other greats such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen.
Following his unparalleled success with Red Bull, Vettel embarked on a new chapter with Ferrari, driven by the ambition to emulate his childhood hero, Michael Schumacher, and add to his championship tally. He dreamed of bringing the glory days back to the iconic Italian team. But here's where it gets controversial... Was Ferrari the right move, or did the pressure of living up to Schumacher's legacy ultimately hinder Vettel's performance?
While Vettel was a consistent frontrunner and race winner with Ferrari, his two title challenges in 2017 and 2018 ultimately fell short. By 2019, a shift became apparent as the young and talented Charles Leclerc began to outperform him within the team. This marked a turning point, signaling a possible decline in Vettel's performance and a change in the team dynamic. Leaving Ferrari after the 2020 season, where Leclerc convincingly outshone him, Vettel joined Aston Martin. He spent two years with the team, seemingly rebuilding his confidence. However, his desire to remain in F1 started to wane. He announced his retirement after the 2022 season and, despite being linked with several open seats since, he has shown no interest in returning to the sport, opting for a quieter life with his wife and children.
In a revealing interview on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Vettel delved into the complex topic of his 'peak' as an F1 driver, sharing when he first experienced self-doubt and noticed his performance level declining. And this is the part most people miss... Vettel makes a crucial distinction between 'peak performance' and 'overall peak'. He believes he reached his peak speed and raw talent as early as 2008 and 2009, but he wasn't yet a 'complete' driver.
"Speaking of myself, I think you have to distinguish between peak performances and then peak all around. Because I think you are probably able to deliver peak performances for a much longer time than the actual lasting peak performance or consistency," Vettel explained.
He also noted the changing landscape of Formula 1, where young drivers are now entering the sport more prepared than ever before. "Nowadays, drivers come in, and they’re very ready. Even you see with the rookies, they’re all doing a really good job, and that’s because you start so early and you start to prepare so professionally, so early."
Vettel reflected on his own journey, stating, "I came to Formula 1 in 2006/2007, and I would say, already by 2010, obviously, I won the championship. I was sort of at my peak. But then in ’11, I was much more ready to win the championship than I was in 2010, for example. I had strong years, obviously, winning the championship, 2015 was a very strong year. 2017/2018, and then [by] ’19 and ’20, I was on my way down already, and I’m happy to say that now, because I didn’t have that really last ultimate push anymore."
He admitted that the insatiable hunger for wins, records, and dominance that once consumed him began to diminish over time. Even during his successful years with Ferrari, the desire to put in the necessary effort started to fade. "I remember, actually, in 2018, I started the season and traveled to the first race. I really felt like I didn’t want to go. I wanted to go racing, for sure, but I didn’t want to travel," Vettel confessed, acknowledging that he wasn't aware of his waning enthusiasm at the time.
"It’s like I couldn’t be bothered sitting a day in a plane again, and that was weird. Like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I said to myself, ‘You love this. Of course, I do’. Then I won the first race, and then I was like, all hyped, went to the second race, ‘I’m gonna win, I’m gonna win’. I won the second race, and then the season went on. It was a very, very strong season. And then in 2019, maybe it was also a time when the kids started to be old enough to phrase, ‘Daddy, don’t go.’ Before, I always had the looks from the dog, like he knew when the suitcase was in front of the door that I was leaving. And it was hard to say goodbye to the dog, but with kids, it was much, much harder."
This heartfelt revelation about his children's plea, "Daddy, don't go," adds a poignant layer to Vettel's decision to retire. It highlights the emotional toll that a demanding career can take on family life.
Adding to the challenge, Ferrari's performance dipped in 2019, making it even harder for Vettel to maintain his motivation. "In 2017, we started off really well. We were missing ingredients. Mercedes beat us in 2018. We were more complete. Our car was better. Our package was better. We didn’t make it. Mercedes was stronger at the end of the season, and they beat us," he summarized.
"2019 was a strange year, because our car was okay, and our engine was really, really good. Remember which year I’m talking about. So we struggled to just make progress as a team, real progress like ‘Okay, we are closing the gap’, or ‘We are actually getting stronger in developing the car’, especially the second part of the season. I really, really wanted to win the championship with Ferrari, trust me. Now, I’m cool, but I really wanted it so bad, and it didn’t happen. 2019 was sort of the break year, I would say, for myself, because I started to feel like ‘We’re not making it. We’re not good enough’."
Vettel, once the young prodigy, saw a reflection of his past self in his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. "At the same time, Charles came in in 2019, and Charles had so much energy, a completely different time in his career," he observed.
"When we finished fifth and sixth or third and fourth, in fairness, I was spoiled. I mean, I won four championships, I won so many races, I had so many poles, whatever, all I was interested in was winning. That’s the sort of athlete I was. I wanted to win. I wanted the biggest trophy. I wanted that moment on the podium where I knew I won the race, I wanted the Monday morning feeling of ‘I won the last race and feel so good’, but the feeling doesn’t last long enough. So you’ve got to win another one. Charles came in and, when we finished fifth and sixth, he was over the moon with a fifth and sixth because of different stages of his career and the first time in a competitive car, I think that’s when I started to struggle a bit."
The unexpected delay to the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic provided Vettel with an opportunity for introspection. "[In 2020], we’re not racing. I get this fantastic break that I never had, and enjoy it so much with the family, and. at the same time, becoming aware of the kids growing, of problems in the world and how they started to affect me, and I’m reflecting then," he shared.
"I would say at that time I was probably not at the peak anymore, and with Aston Martin starting a new challenge, I think I was ultimately looking for this reassurance that I can still do this. Which sounds silly, because ‘Of course, I can do it. I’ve proven it so many times’. This uncertainty or insecurity is something that we all have. All the drivers have it on the grid today. I was speaking to Michael [Schumacher] about this many years ago, and even he had it. For me, when I say ‘even’, it’s because he is the greatest. I grew up with posters of him on the wall. He was the best in everything I could imagine with racing. And he was insecure! ‘What? You?’ So we all have that. I think those years, from a results point of view, of course, I would have loved to see the team growing faster, but they were important for me because I started to feel really comfortable again with my driving. I think I did have peak performances, even at a later stage. But, overall peak, probably not anymore."
Vettel's candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the mind of a champion grappling with the inevitable challenges of a long and demanding career. His story is a reminder that even the greatest athletes experience self-doubt and that personal fulfillment can sometimes outweigh professional ambition.
What do you think about Vettel's honesty? Do you believe his move to Ferrari ultimately hindered his chances of winning more championships? And how much of an impact do you think family life has on an F1 driver's performance and decision to retire? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
