Sebastian Vettel: Lewis Hamilton shows age doesn't matter in F1

Sebastian Vettel

Vettel: Hamilton shows age doesn't matter in F1

Seb shuts down retirement talk again.

Matthew Scott

Monday 16 December 2019 12:00

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Sebastian Vettel says motivation is of no concern fir future campaigns in Formula 1, pointing out the achievements of rival Lewis Hamilton at more advanced years than himself.

Vettel lost out to Hamilton in a tight 2018 title battle, but dropped out of contention in 2019, finishing fourth in the drivers' championship, behind Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and new team-mate Charles Leclerc.

With Hamilton being linked to Vettel's Ferrari seat for 2021, and the German having voiced opposition to several factors in modern F1, talk has intensified that the four-time world champion's time in F1 may soon end.

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Asked if he had seriously considered retirement, Vettel told Blick: "Not specifically. But after more than 12 years, you will surely think about what comes next.

"It is not good to go through life without a plan. Nobody knows whether it really is this plan.

"At the moment the target at Ferrari is clear with the world title. And we are not there yet.

"As long as I perform and can do, age doesn't matter. Hamilton is three years older than me.

"The pendulum swings very quickly anyway. If you have three good races, opinions change again. Everyone has their own experiences."

Vettel is clear about his own shortcomings in 2019, but says getting back to his best will be made tougher by the rising class of young drivers starting to take over F1.

"My season just wasn't perfect," he said. "Small things make the difference.

"In the end, the points that should have been scored are missing. Of course I'm not satisfied, I have to improve clearly.

"Life against Charles will certainly not be easier in 2020. And the new generation is already fully there. With Charles, Max [Verstappen], Esteban [Ocon], Lando [Norris], Alex [Albon], George [Russell], Pierre [Gasly] and the rest."