Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will retire at the end of the 2022 season, he announced on Thursday.

The 35-year-old German, who currently drives for Aston Martin, won four successive titles from 2010 to 2013 with Red Bull. 

His 53 Grand Prix victories place him third on the all-time list behind Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91).

“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me to take, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it,” Vettel said in a team statement.

“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. But today is not about saying goodbye.

“Rather, it is about saying thank you - to everyone - not least to the fans, without whose passionate support Formula One could not exist.”

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