Sebastian Vettel Reflects on Being 'On the Way Down' During Final Ferrari Seasons

Sebastian Vettel has opened up about his final years at Ferrari, admitting he was already "on the way down" in terms of performance and motivation during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The four-time world champion reflected on how his career peak had passed and how the arrival of a highly motivated Charles Leclerc highlighted a shift in his own priorities.

Why it matters:

Vettel's candid self-assessment provides a rare glimpse into the psychological and performance decline of a top driver at a legendary team. It underscores the intense pressure and finite nature of a driver's peak competitive window in Formula 1, especially when faced with a younger, hungrier teammate. His experience mirrors a common narrative in elite sports about the challenge of sustaining motivation after achieving the highest success.

The details:

• Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015 after winning four titles with Red Bull and quickly became the team's lead driver, challenging for championships in 2017 and 2018.
• The dynamic shifted dramatically with Charles Leclerc's arrival in 2019. Leclerc outscored Vettel in their first season together (264 points to 240) and secured more wins.
• The gap widened in 2020, a difficult year for Ferrari, with Leclerc scoring 98 points to Vettel's 33, after Ferrari had already decided to replace Vettel with Carlos Sainz for 2021.
• Vettel pinpointed motivation as a key differentiator, noting that Leclerc's enthusiasm for smaller achievements, like a fifth or sixth place, contrasted with his own singular focus on winning, which had been dulled by past success.
• The disrupted 2020 season due to COVID-19 gave Vettel an extended break, during which he began reflecting more on global issues and family, further distancing him from his peak competitive mindset.

Between the lines:

Vettel's move to Aston Martin was driven by a need for personal reassurance. He sought to answer the question, "Can I still do this?" despite his proven record. He revealed that this insecurity is universal among drivers, sharing that even his idol, Michael Schumacher, experienced it. While his results at Aston Martin didn't meet initial hopes, the period was crucial for him to rediscover comfort in his driving, acknowledging he could still deliver "peak performances" occasionally, but not sustain his overall peak level.

What's next:

Now retired, Vettel's reflections close a chapter on his Ferrari tenure, framing it not as a sudden collapse but as a gradual descent. His honesty adds depth to the historical record of his career and offers a valuable perspective on the lifecycle of a champion's motivation and performance at the pinnacle of motorsport.