Norbert Vettel on his son's retirement: 'That accelerated that thought'

Norbert Vettel has managed to avoid the media in recent years, but Sebastian Vettel's father has hardly missed a single race that his son competed in. Vettel senior understands the choice of the four-time world champion to end his Formula One career.

Vettel confirmed during the weekend before the Hungarian Grand Prix that he will leave the sport after 2022. This will mark the end of the 35-year-old's long and successful career in the sport.

"It's very unfortunate, but I understand him. It was an incredible career for my son. The low point was Austria. It hurt him so much to drive around at the end of the field and that accelerated that thought", Vettel senior tells RTL.

The German collided with Pierre Gasly on the Red Bull Ring on the opening lap of the race, causing the Aston Martin driver to fall behind and finish last. Vettel has struggled to finish in the points all season and Aston Martin is only ninth in the championship.

Vettel's father is determined that he will attend one more race this season to see his son race for the last time. "I definitely want to witness one more race. I'll probably choose Monza because that's where he got his first F1 win with Toro Rosso. That's where his great career as a four-time world champion began."