Sebastian Vettel’s last dance in F1?

With the announcement of the end of his association with Ferrari at the end of this season, it is clear that Vettel’s future in F1 is more than uncertain. Could he sign a final contract in F1 or, quite simply, announce his retirement?

Let’s analyze these two possible scenarios. Let’s think it through for fun. In the eventuality that he returns to F1 in 2021, the options are considerably narrowing. The grid is almost complete for the next season. Could the Mercedes option be conceivable as a German, in the event of a Hamilton transfer? The six-time world champion is in the last year of his contract with the German team. However, I would be greatly surprised if he leaves Mercedes. He will want to equal and even surpass Michael Schumacher’s record of seven drivers’ championships, and consequently, he needs a good car like the Mercedes that has dominated F1 since 2014, the start of the hybrid engine era in F1.

Could he return to Red Bull to replace Alex Albon? I don’t believe it with Max Verstappen’s dominance, who is under contract until 2023, not to mention that since his arrival last year, replacing Gasly, Albon has been up to the task.

What about the Renault option with Daniel Ricciardo’s move to McLaren? I believe more in a return of Fernando Alonso for a third time with the French team to end his career. Could he join his former teammate Kimi Räikkönen at Alfa Romeo? I’m not convinced. I see Mick Schumacher joining that team instead. What about the Aston Martin option? Clearly, the options seem uncertain for the four-time world champion who will turn 33 on July 3rd.

In my opinion, the most likely scenario remains his retirement from F1 at the end of 2020. Why would he want to come back? Newly a father for the third time, does he still have the passion? Asking the question is somewhat answering it. He has 4 driver titles under his belt, he has raced with Ferrari over the last 5 years even though he hasn’t won the title with them. The last to do so was Räikkönen in 2007, a long 13-year drought. In any case, the Ferrari option is no longer available. So what does he have left to prove? Almost nothing. That’s why I believe he will announce his departure from F1 by the end of the 2020 season.

In numbers

In his career, Vettel won 4 consecutive drivers’ titles with Red Bull-Renault between 2010 and 2013, the same number as Alain Prost. He was three times runner-up in the world championship in 2009, 2017, and 2018. He is therefore one of the most decorated in history. So far, he has won 53 races in 240 Grand Prix. He has achieved 120 podiums, 57 poles, and 38 fastest laps during his 13 seasons in F1. As they say, mission accomplished except that he has not won a title with Scuderia since his association in 2015.