Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has opened up on his premature exit from Ferrari, four years since his last race for the iconic team.
News broke ahead of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season Vettel’s contract would not be extended beyond the end of the season.
Then-team principal Mattia Binotto said there was “no specific reason” for the decision, but added it was an amicable split.
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The 2020 season turned into a disaster for the red team, finishing only sixth in the constructors’ title. Vettel finished 13th in the drivers’ standings with only 33 points – the lowest tally in his full-time F1 career.
Sebastian Vettel left Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season. Getty
“Sometimes things don’t end the way you may have hoped for,” he told Wide World of Sports.
“Obviously there was a clear target to win the championship. We didn’t, I didn’t, succeed.”
After leaving Ferrari, Vettel spent two seasons at Aston Martin, before retiring at the the end of 2022.
Vettel wasn’t the only multiple world champion to fail in ending Ferrari’s drivers’ title drought. Fernando Alonso spent five seasons at the team between 2010-2014 and finished second three times. He arguably should’ve won the 2010 and 2012 titles.
Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari days. Getty
As a result, Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 remains its most recent drivers’ success. The team won the 2008 constructor’s title.
Vettel arrived at the team in 2015, having won four-straight titles with Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton arrives at the team in 2025 chasing a similar dream.
Despite falling short of the ultimate goal, Vettel still holds fond memories of Maranello.
“I still had a great time, made a lot of friends and fell in love with the country and the people,” Vettel said.
“Still plenty to look back and be very happy about.”
