The five people former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel follows on Instagram. The five people Seb follows on Instagram.

Former Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has chosen to abandon Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season and he did so with a heartfelt video message posted on his social media channels, which he decided to launch for the special occasion after many years in which Sebastian had been keen to stay away from the online world to protect his privacy as an individual.

Sebastian Vettel’s online presence has been welcomed by the social media communities and it is no surprise that the former Ferrari driver has more than 2.6 million followers on Instagram. On the other hand, the German driver only follows five people: his former Maranello teammate Charles Leclerc, former Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher (one of the most heart-warming storylines from the past two years has been Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher’s blossoming friendship) alongside two of his main rivals in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team, Mats Hummels, is the only figure outside of Formula 1 who Sebastian Vettel follows.

The weekend at Yas Marina Circuit, the last of his career, was just as touching and full of celebrations, including a dinner with all the other drivers, a run around the track alongside hundreds of other paddock members who shared many words of praise and moving greetings (how can we forget Federica Masolin’s tears?), and the spectacular donuts at the end of the race together with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Vettel has admitted that the celebrations in Abu Dhabi have done nothing but increase the excitement for his choice to leave Formula 1:

“It was a bit strange, you don’t know what to expect,” Sebastian Vettel told ServusTV – “I’m very lucky to have been able to celebrate such a beautiful farewell. The recognition of the other riders means a lot to me. It was something special, and that makes it doubly difficult.”

Sebastian Vettel’s final season in Formula 1 with Aston Martin was not particularly rewarding, with the driver struggling in the midfield of the field for much of the time.

The German driver ends his career as one of the most accomplished and successful drivers in the history of the sport, with four world titles and 53 grand prix victories. The video prepared by Aston Martin is touching and emotional, just like the special farewell from Scuderia Ferrari in Abu Dhabi.

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

Sebastian Vettel has not yet revealed what he intends to do away from the Formula 1 circuits following his retirement, however, next year he will return to compete in the Race of Champions, partnering Mick Schumacher for Team Germany.