Why Did Sebastian Vettel Leave Red Bull? Reason Behind His Exit From Red Bull
by A Maria
Updated Jun 01, 2023
Who is Sebastian Vettel?
Sebastian Vettel, born on July 3, 1987, is a German racing driver who has left an indelible mark on the world of Formula One. Over the course of his illustrious career spanning from 2007 to 2022, Vettel competed for several prominent teams including BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Aston Martin.
Renowned as one of the most accomplished drivers in the history of Formula One, Vettel's success is exemplified by his impressive record of four World Drivers' Championship titles. These remarkable victories were achieved consecutively from 2010 to 2013, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with on the racing circuit.
Vettel's accomplishments extend beyond his championship wins. He holds the distinction of being the youngest World Champion in Formula One history, a testament to his exceptional talent and determination. Additionally, Vettel boasts an impressive array of statistics, including the third-highest number of race victories with 53, the third-highest number of podium finishes with 122, and the fourth-highest number of pole positions with 57.
Throughout his career, Vettel demonstrated exceptional skill, speed, and consistency on the track, earning the respect and admiration of both his peers and fans worldwide. His contributions to the sport have solidified his place among the legends of Formula One, leaving a lasting legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
Why Did Sebastian Vettel Leave Red Bull?
Christian Horner, the former team principal of Red Bull Racing, expressed understanding and support for Sebastian Vettel's decision to leave the team and join Ferrari, despite the challenges he faced during his time with the Italian powerhouse. Vettel had an illustrious career at Red Bull, spending six highly successful seasons with the team. He secured the Drivers' Championship in all but two of those seasons, showcasing his immense talent and establishing himself as one of the dominant forces in Formula One.
Only his childhood idol, Michael Schumacher, boasts a longer streak of consecutive championship wins with five titles. In 2015, Vettel made the move to Ferrari, aiming to follow in Schumacher's footsteps. However, his time with the Scuderia didn't unfold as he had hoped. Vettel found himself playing a supporting role behind the dominant Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Internal tensions within the team escalated with the arrival of Charles Leclerc, further adding to Vettel's challenges.
As the seasons progressed, Vettel's frustration grew as he was consistently cast as the secondary driver. In 2021, he decided to leave Ferrari and joined Aston Martin, eventually announcing his retirement a season later. Christian Horner, who witnessed Vettel's extraordinary achievements as his team principal during his championship-winning years, spoke highly of the German driver. Horner praised Vettel's incredible work ethic, acknowledging him as the "hardest working driver" he had ever encountered.
Despite the difficulties Vettel faced, Horner remained understanding and did not place blame on him for pursuing new opportunities. Sebastian Vettel's time at Red Bull Racing will be remembered as a period of immense success and domination in Formula One. While his stint at Ferrari didn't yield the desired outcomes, his talent, and dedication continue to be recognized, solidifying his place among the sport's great drivers.
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing, known as Oracle Red Bull Racing or simply Red Bull or RBR, is an Austrian-licensed Formula One racing team based in the United Kingdom. It is one of the Formula One teams owned by the conglomerate Red Bull GmbH, alongside Scuderia AlphaTauri. Since its establishment in 2005, the team has been under the management of Christian Horner. In its early years, Red Bull Racing used Cosworth engines in 2005 and Ferrari engines in 2006.
From 2007 to 2018, the team utilized engines supplied by Renault, with the Renault engine being re-branded as "TAG Heuer" from 2016 to 2018 due to a strained relationship between Red Bull and Renault. During this successful partnership, Red Bull Racing achieved remarkable success, securing four consecutive Drivers' and Constructors' Championship titles from 2010 to 2013. This made them the first Austrian team to claim these prestigious titles.
In 2019, Red Bull Racing switched to Honda engines, forging a works partnership with the Japanese manufacturer. This collaboration reached its pinnacle in 2021 when Red Bull driver Max Verstappen secured the World Drivers' Championship, bringing home the title for the team. Verstappen repeated his success in 2022, further establishing Red Bull Racing's dominance. Although Honda officially exited the sport after 2021, they are set to continue supplying complete engines from Japan to the team, partly under the Red Bull Powertrains branding, until the end of 2025.
Red Bull Racing has proven itself as a formidable force in Formula One, showcasing exceptional performance on the track and pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence. With a track record of championship victories and an ongoing commitment to innovation, the team continues to captivate motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.
Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel's journey with Red Bull Racing was nothing short of remarkable, as he etched his name in Formula One history by clinching four consecutive world titles. Rising through the ranks of the Red Bull drivers' program, Vettel showcased immense promise during his time at sister team Toro Rosso, culminating in a memorable victory at Monza. Recognizing his exceptional talent, Red Bull promoted him to their senior team in 2009, marking the beginning of a glorious era.
From 2010 onwards, Vettel embarked on an unprecedented winning streak, capturing four consecutive world championships and solidifying his status as a global superstar. His achievements on the track made him the envy of the paddock, with all eyes on his stellar performances. It seemed inconceivable for anyone to walk away from such extraordinary success. Yet, Vettel defied expectations by announcing his departure from Red Bull in 2014, setting his sights on a new challenge with Ferrari.
The decision to leave a team that had been instrumental in his rise to stardom showcased Vettel's unwavering determination and hunger for fresh experiences. It was a bold move, with the German driver seeking to carve his own path and make his mark with the prestigious Italian team.
Sebastian Vettel's tenure at Red Bull Racing will forever be remembered as a golden chapter in Formula One, marked by his exceptional skills, tenacity, and unprecedented success. The decision to part ways with Red Bull and embark on a new adventure with Ferrari only added to the intrigue and excitement surrounding his career, as fans and pundits eagerly awaited the next chapter in the story of this extraordinary driver.
Sebastian Vettel Professional Career
Sebastian Vettel, the renowned racing driver, embarked on a new chapter of his career when he joined Aston Martin for the 2021 Formula One season, taking over the seat previously occupied by Sergio Pérez. However, his debut race weekend in Bahrain didn't go as planned. During qualifying, Vettel received a grid penalty, forcing him to start from the back of the grid. Despite a promising start, an unfortunate collision with Esteban Ocon resulted in a time penalty, and Vettel ultimately finished in 15th place. This incident also resulted in him receiving five penalty points on his super licence.
Nevertheless, Aston Martin team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, remained optimistic and unfazed by the setback. He attributed the challenging start to various factors, including the significant differences between the Aston Martin and Vettel's previous car, the limited laps in pre-season testing, and the impressive performance Vettel displayed at the beginning of the race.
As the season progressed, Vettel's determination paid off. In the fifth race of the season, the Monaco Grand Prix, he secured his first points for the Aston Martin team with an impressive fifth-place finish. The following race, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, brought even greater success as Vettel claimed Aston Martin's first podium finish with an outstanding second-place result. Vettel continued to showcase his skills throughout the season. He secured another second-place finish in Hungary, only to be later disqualified due to his car's failure to provide the required one-liter sample of fuel.
Despite this setback, Vettel ended the season in 12th place in the Drivers' standings, outperforming his teammate Lance Stroll. Notably, Vettel's exceptional overtaking skills set him apart during the 2021 season, as he completed an impressive 132 overtakes, the highest number of any driver. This achievement earned him the inaugural Overtake Award, further highlighting his prowess on the track.
Moving on to the 2022 season, Vettel faced an unexpected hurdle. He tested positive for COVID-19, causing him to miss the first two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Aston Martin's reserve driver, Nico Hülkenberg, stepped in as his substitute for those races. In July 2022, Vettel made a significant announcement. He revealed his decision to retire from Formula One at the conclusion of the 2022 season, marking the end of a remarkable career that left an indelible mark on the sport.
Sebastian Vettel's journey in Formula One has been filled with triumphs, setbacks, and memorable moments. His talent, determination, and sportsmanship have earned him a special place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts worldwide. As Vettel prepares to bid farewell to the sport, fans and colleagues alike will undoubtedly remember his remarkable achievements and contributions to Formula One.
Why Did Sebastian Vettel Leave Red Bull - FAQs
Red Bull Racing was established in 2005.
The team has been managed by Christian Horner since its establishment.
In 2005, Red Bull Racing used Cosworth engines, and in 2006, they utilized Ferrari engines.
Red Bull Racing used engines supplied by Renault from 2007 to 2018.
The Renault engine was re-branded as "TAG Heuer" from 2016 to 2018 due to a strained relationship between Red Bull Racing and Renault.