Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel has announced his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the season.
Vettel shared the news on his new Instagram account, breaking the hearts of hundreds of thousands of fans.
He explained some of the reasons for his retirement in a video:
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“I have had the privilege of working with many fantastic people in Formula 1 over the past 15 years – there are far too many to mention and thank.
“Over the past two years, I have been an Aston Martin 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 [Stroll], Lance [Stroll], Martin [Whitmarsh], Mike [Krack], 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.”
“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it.
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“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.
Vettel will leave the sport as one of the most successful drivers in history.
Only Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio have won more world titles.
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Topics: Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel