4-time F1 champion Vettel felt like retiring for a long time
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany runs at pit line during the qualifying session for the French Formula One Grand Prix at Paul Ricard racetrack in Le Castellet, southern France, Saturday, July 23, 2022. The French Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (Eric Gaillard, Pool via AP)

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany runs at pit line during the qualifying session for the French Formula One Grand Prix at Paul Ricard racetrack in Le Castellet, southern France, Saturday, July 23, 2022. The French Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (Eric Gaillard, Pool via AP)

Jul. 23, 2022 10:59 AM EDT
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany answers to questions of journalists during interviews ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Thursday, July 7, 2022. The Austrian F1 Grand Prix is held on Sunday July 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany answers to questions of journalists during interviews ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Thursday, July 7, 2022. The Austrian F1 Grand Prix is held on Sunday July 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jul. 07, 2022 09:48 AM EDT
FILE - Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, left, and Mercedes Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher of Germany, right celebrate after Vettel became Formula One World Champion 2010 at the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer, File)

FILE - Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, left, and Mercedes Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher of Germany, right celebrate after Vettel became Formula One World Champion 2010 at the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer, File)

Jul. 28, 2022 07:48 AM EDT
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third practice session for the French Formula One Grand Prix at Paul Ricard racetrack in Le Castellet, southern France, Saturday, July 23, 2022. The French Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third practice session for the French Formula One Grand Prix at Paul Ricard racetrack in Le Castellet, southern France, Saturday, July 23, 2022. The French Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Jul. 23, 2022 07:18 AM EDT
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is surrounded with members of his team at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is surrounded with members of his team at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)

Jul. 28, 2022 08:46 AM EDT
FILE - Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany cries on the podium after becoming 2010 Formula One World champion and winning the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov.14, 2010. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

FILE - Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany cries on the podium after becoming 2010 Formula One World champion and winning the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov.14, 2010. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Jul. 28, 2022 07:48 AM EDT
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is surrounded with members of his team at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is surrounded with members of his team at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)

Jul. 28, 2022 08:45 AM EDT
FILE - Germany's Sebastian Vettel celebrates on podium after taking his Toro Rosso to victory during the Formula One Grand Prix in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.14, 2008. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019. He has been largely unsuccessful this season with Aston Martin with a best finish of sixth place. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar, File)

FILE - Germany's Sebastian Vettel celebrates on podium after taking his Toro Rosso to victory during the Formula One Grand Prix in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.14, 2008. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019. He has been largely unsuccessful this season with Aston Martin with a best finish of sixth place. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar, File)

Jul. 28, 2022 07:47 AM EDT
FILE - German Toro Rosso Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel puts on his helmet during the first practice session at the Istanbul Park racetrack, Turkey on Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019. He has been largely unsuccessful this season with Aston Martin with a best finish of sixth place. (AP Photo/Daniel Maurer, File)

FILE - German Toro Rosso Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel puts on his helmet during the first practice session at the Istanbul Park racetrack, Turkey on Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel says he will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. The German driver won the F1 title from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019. He has been largely unsuccessful this season with Aston Martin with a best finish of sixth place. (AP Photo/Daniel Maurer, File)

Jul. 28, 2022 07:47 AM EDT