Sebastian Vettel admits he found it ‘strange’ to be away from F1 amid Aston Martin’s performance boom in 2023

Sebastian Vettel gets candid about how he feels watching Formula 1 as a spectator.

Sebastian Vettel admits he found it ‘strange’ to be away from F1 amid Aston Martin’s performance boom in 2023

Sebastian Vettel ( Image via The Olive Press)

Sebastian Vettel bid farewell to Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season. The German driver left the sport with four world titles. Vettel ended his career after two underwhelming seasons with Aston Martin. The Silverstone-based team has now improved drastically and achieved four podiums in five races. Vettel shares his feelings as he watches his former team get solid results.

The 35-year-old was asked how he felt being away from the F1 paddock after spending over a decade in the sport. The German driver replied, “At the beginning, it was strange not to be there.” Although Sebastian was clear that as the season went on he got used to becoming a spectator. The four-time world champion now watches the races with keen interest.

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The German driver was glad to have Aston Martin finally race in the front of the field. Vettel appreciated the team’s success and credited Fernando Alonso for bringing home four podiums in the first five races. The 35-year-old believed that the Silverstone-based team deserved to enjoy its recent success after the hard work that went into its endeavors in recent years.

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Sebastian Vettel says he misses the competition and tension in F1

Sebastian Vettel, 2022 Abu Dhabi GP (Image via Formularapida.net)
Sebastian Vettel, 2022 Abu Dhabi GP (Image via Formularapida.net)

Sebastian Vettel made his F1 debut in 2007 as a stand-in for BMW Sauber. Since then, the German driver solidified his place in the pages of history as an all-time great. However, the 35-year-old has no regrets about his decision to retire. Vettel still misses a couple of aspects of the pinnacle of motorsport. He said, “Most of all I miss the competition and the tension.“

The four-time world champion is unsure about when he will visit the F1 paddock again. Although there have been rumors about Audi wanting to persuade the 35-year-old to spearhead its F1 works team as a driver once again. Sebastian Vettel has not ruled himself out of racing activities completely. The German driver will be participating in the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year with his own collection of cars.

Thus, Sebastian Vettel did feel strange as he watched his former team get its first podium finish of 2023. However, the German driver has made peace with his decision and is not looking to come back into the sport for now. Though, it is always possible that the 35-year-old might get the urge to once again race at the pinnacle of motorsport and perhaps try to win his 5th world championship.

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