Vettel Admits He Was Past His Peak in Final Ferrari Years

In a candid reflection, Sebastian Vettel has acknowledged that he was past his competitive peak during his final years with Ferrari, a period marked by frustration and an internal dynamic shift with teammate Charles Leclerc. The four-time champion admitted he had lost his "ultimate push," contrasting his veteran's mindset with the raw energy of his younger teammate, who saw progress where Vettel saw failure.

Why it matters:

Vettel's honesty provides a new, humanizing lens on a turbulent era for Ferrari, moving beyond technical or team-political explanations. It highlights the immense psychological toll in F1, where a champion's motivation can wane, and underscores the brutal generational transitions that define the sport, where a rising star's energy can inadvertently accelerate a veteran's exit.

The details:

• The Admission: Vettel stated he was "on my way down already" by 2019 and 2020, admitting he no longer had the "last ultimate push" that defined his championship-winning years.
• A Shift in Perspective: While Leclerc was "over the moon" with fifth and sixth-place finishes in a competitive car, Vettel, a four-time champion, viewed those same results as failure. This gap in perception became a source of internal struggle for the German driver.
• The 2020 Catalyst: The COVID-19 pandemic provided an unexpected break that Vettel enjoyed with his family. This period, combined with his growing awareness of global issues, shifted his priorities away from the "cut-throat nature of F1."
• Peak Years: Vettel pinpointed 2015, 2017, and 2018 as his most recent strong seasons before his decline began.

Looking Ahead:

Vettel's retrospective reframes his Ferrari exit not as a sudden fall from grace, but as a gradual and natural conclusion to a glorious career. It serves as a poignant reminder of the mental and emotional demands of Formula 1, where the desire to win can fade as life's priorities evolve, paving the way for the next generation.