Vettel announces F1 retirement

Sebastian Vettel has confirmed he will retire from F1 at the end of the current season.

The German made his F1 debut with BMW Sauber in 2007 before enjoying stints at Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and latterly Aston Martin.

Vettel made the announcement on his newly created Instagram account on Thursday.

“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula One over the past 15 years - there are far too many to mention and thank," said Vettel.

"Over the past two years I have been an Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver - and, although our results have not been as good as we had hoped, it is very clear to me that everything is being put together that a team needs to race at the very highest level for years to come.

"I have really enjoyed working with such a great bunch of people. Everyone - Lawrence, Lance, Martin, Mike, the senior managers, the engineers, the mechanics and the rest of the team - is ambitious, capable, expert, committed and friendly, and I wish them all well.

"I hope that the work I did last year and am continuing to do this year will be helpful in the development of a team that will win in the future, and I will work as hard as I can between now and the end of the year with that goal in mind, giving as always my best in the last 10 races."

F1 retirement a "difficult decision"

Vettel has been a mainstay on the F1 grid since the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix when he made his first appearance for Toro Rosso.

Sunday will be his 291st F1 weekend and 290th start.

"The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it; at the end of the year I want to take some more time to reflect on what I will focus on next; it is very clear to me that, being a father, I want to spend more time with my family.

"But today is not about saying goodbye. Rather, it is about saying thank you - to everyone - not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula One could not exist.”

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