Sebastian Vettel

## Career Overview

### **BMW Sauber & Toro Rosso (2007)**

Sebastian Vettel made his F1 debut in 2007, with BMW Sauber, finishing 8th. Moving to Toro Rosso for the final 7 races of the season, Vettel sored a further 5 points.

### **Toro Rosso (2008)**

Staying at Toro Rosso for 2008, Vettel would win the Italian Grand Prix.

### **Red Bull (2009 - 2014)**

Promoted to Red Bull in 2009, Vettel would win four consecutive World Driver's Championships (2010-13). After a rather unsuccessful 2014 season, Vettel moved to Ferrari for 2015.

### **Ferrari (2015 - 2020)**

Vettel would move to Ferrari for 2015, to replace the departing Fernando Alonso. With a highly successful season, Vettel would take his fifth WDC title in the final round of the season. A rather lack luster 2016 would follow, with the German only winning one race. Staying faithful to the Scuderia for 2017, Vettel would find himself in title contention for his sixth World Championship. However it wasn't to be and he would have to settle for second best.

2018 would prove to be an uphill struggle, with the SF71H lacking pace from day one. Vettel going without a race victory in the first half of the season. Vettel's consistency would pay off to leave him second in the driver's standings after the Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite his consistency, a lack of podiums and wins would drop the 4-time Champion out of title contention at the close of the USA Grand Prix.

Vettel remained with Ferrari for 2019.

Qualifying for the season opener was good, Vettel securing 5th place. However, mid race car problems would see the 5-time Champion drop to 16th come the end of the race. Vettel would get off the marks in round 2, finishing 8th. Fortune once again wouldn't favour the 5-time Champion, as he would retire early on from the Chinese Grand Prix. After the first six races, Vettel only had 16 points to Leclerc's 50, making this the worst start to a season in terms of lack of points since driving competitive cars. Vettel's wretched luck would continue at the Russian Grand Prix. Power unit problems would see him knocked out in Q1, and in the race a gear selection issue would see the 5-Time Champion finish the race in only 12th, after running as high at 5th.

Vettel would finally reach the podium at round 9, but only after Verstappen received a time penalty.

Vettel retired from the Belgian Grand Prix following his pit stop, as one of the wheels wasn't fitted properly.

Ferrari managed so somewhat redeem themselves at their home Grand Prix. Leclerc managed a second place finish, with Vettel third. It was an all Ferrari powered podium, as Josh Tirowee won the race for Alfa Romeo.

For the second time in three races, Vettel retired again after his pit stop with yet another loose wheel. Vettel's radio outburst showed the first signs public signs of the German's frustration with the team.

Vettel's disastrous season came to and end early, as the final four races were cancelled. Even so, it was his worst season since joining a top team in 2009.

2020 didn't look to be going any better. 11 points after the first two races. On the plus side, he was ahead of Leclerc.

#### **Retirement from F1**

Sebastian Vettel announced at the Japanese Grand Prix Thursday press conference that he would retire from F1 at the end of the race. The German put in the performance of a lifetime. Out in Q1, starting from 16th, the five-time champion showed form not seen since his Red Bull days to finish sixth, and hold off outgoing Champion, Mick Schumacher in the Williams. Vettel's points proved to be critical to keeping Ferrari in 7th ahead of McLaren.

## Racing Record (Formula One Results Only)

Results on **bold**, indicate championships won.