Vettel tells whether he regrets F1 exit as Aston Martin flourishes

Sebastian Vettel hung up his helmet last year. The four-time World Champion thought it was enough and closed the Aston Martin door behind him. Perhaps also a bit of unfortunate timing, as his replacement Fernando Alonso finished on the podium at all Grands Prix this year.

Whether Vettel regrets his decision to quit? "No. I think it's very difficult to know what would happen next year, exactly like it is every year actually," the German said at an event for the environmental project 'Bio Bienen Apfel'.

Vettel admitted he is especially happy that the team he left behind are now doing so well. The joy prevails: "That outweighs everything else. I know the team very well from the last few years and I am happy that they are doing so well. I think it was obvious that this car would be better than last season. Last year was pretty bad namely, so it was to be expected, although of course you never know what the others are doing."

Whether the 35-year-old driver will get back into a racing car any time soon is as yet unclear. At the moment, Vettel is mostly enjoying spending time with his family. The family spent a long time travelling in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, but is now back home in Switzerland, on his own farm.