Former F1 world champion makes shock career change after leaving sport

A former household name in Formula One has made a remarkable change since opting to retire from the sport. 

The star in question was a dominant force on track at his peak before going on an extended run without a championship – a barren stretch that ultimately led to his retirement. 

Now, he has opted for a drastic career change by going into farming, after announcing that he will be studying an apprenticeship in agriculture. 

When questioned on if he wanted to become a full-time farmer in an interview with RTL, he said: ‘Not quite. It is basically a condensed form of it. After that, I can run my own business.

‘This area fascinates me. I find it extremely exciting when it comes to the future of agriculture.’

While farming is an intriguing move for the ex-driver, F1 fans are likely to be disappointed by his further comments, which saw him rule out a return to the sport. 

He added: ‘I’m not returning to F1. But Le Mans could be an option.’

Speaking was none other than Sebastian Vettel, who took F1 by storm in the early 2010s, winning four consecutive titles at Red Bull as the team dominated the sport during this period. 

He has opted for a drastic career change by going into farming, after announcing that he will be studying an apprenticeship in agriculture (File image)

At the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in 2022, Vettel wore a shirt with the words: ‘Miami 2060 – 1st Grand Prix under water – act now or swim later.’

After Red Bull fell behind Mercedes following the introduction of drastic rule changes in 2014 – and their signing of Lewis Hamilton the year prior – Vettel swapped Milton Keynes for Maranello by opting to join Ferrari in 2015. 

Despite proving to be a feisty challenger to the dominant Hamilton and his then-team mate Nico Rosberg, Vettel could never quite replicate his Red Bull success for the Prancing Horse – twice finishing as a runner-up to the former in 2017 and 2018.

After six season with the Italian giant, Vettel left the team in 2021 to join Aston Martin, where he would spend two seasons. 

His post-F1 foray into farming comes after he was a vocal activist for environmental issues while still being involved in the sport. 

At the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in 2022, he wore a shirt with the words: ‘Miami 2060 – 1st Grand Prix under water – act now or swim later.’  

Elsewhere, in Japan, Vettel had assembled numerous insect hotels on the inside of turn 2 at Suzuka, with each team able to customise their own versions.