Sebastian Vettel has been retired from Formula One for around ten months now. The 36-year-old has no regrets about retiring, although there are things he misses about his former life.

“The driving, the competition, that was fun for me until the end. When you only have one chance in qualifying and it has to be right. The duels. Those are the moments I miss the most,” the four-time World Champion told the Red Bulletin. .

“I didn’t quit last year because I didn’t like the sport, because I was too slow or because I wanted to do something else,” he added.

However, the job of a Formula One driver requires “a lot of effort” to “do it properly”. “At the same time, I have three small children at home. This time will not come again.”

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Family now priority

The 53-time Grand Prix winner insisted that his children “have a right to expect me to be there for them more“.

Vettel called time on his career at the end of last season. He first competed in a Grand Prix in 2007, then for BMW-Sauber. He then joined Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso and sensationally won the Italian Grand Prix in his first year with the team.

In 2009 he moved to Red Bull’s senior team – and a unique success story began. From 2010 to 2013, Vettel won four consecutive world championships before moving to Ferrari in 2015. With the Reds, however, he only managed two runner-up finishes. Vettel spent his last two years with Aston Martin, where he was usually hopelessly out of contention.

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 Vettel delighted for Fernando Alonso

The fact that Aston Martin is suddenly so strong after his departure doesn’t bother Vettel. “The first reaction of a lot of people was: ‘OK, maybe it would be easier if the car was total rubbish’: I don’t miss anything anyway. No, I’m happy for the team first and foremost. And I’m happy for Fernando Alonso. For many years he didn’t have a car to show his driving skills. Now he can and he’s at the front,” said Vettel.

Alonso surprisingly finished third in the Drivers’ Championship behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the summer break.

Speaking of Red Bull: The fact that his former team dominates F1 doesn’t bother Vettel. “I still have a lot of friends and acquaintances there. I’m really happy when they win.”

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Raw emotion and tears, 'Estie Bestie' on the podium, and some trophy-winning dance moves 🕺😆

What's been your favourite celebration in 2023 thus far? 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/sOemmYh5fe

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 16, 2023