Sebastian Vettel has explained that he will be using the next few weeks to think more seriously about his F1 future, after months of speculation over his plans. Vettel's Aston Martin contract is up for renewal at the end of the season, with the 35-year-old spending most of his time towards the back of the field as the automotive giants struggle to make an impact on their F1 comeback. Aston Martin ended the 2021 campaign a lowly seventh in the Constructors' Championship, and sit ninth in the 2022 standings with 18 points from 11 races – all bar three scored by Vettel. Earlier this season, Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack declared that the outfit would be "foolish" to let the four-time World Champion go , but it remains to be seen if Vettel will commit to a new deal.
Vettel: I want to fight for victories, otherwise it's no fun
Asked for an update on his future plans, Vettel remained coy, but admitted a decision will come sooner rather than later. "The decision is still pending, but I will think about it in the coming weeks," said Vettel in an interview with German broadcaster Sport1 . Asked what his decision rests on, he added: "Of course, it also depends on the direction in which the car develops [and] how much potential I see in the team. "I've already stressed several times that I want to fight for points, but also for victories. Otherwise the fun is lost. "So, in the next few weeks, together with my family, I'll have to figure out how realistic my goals are, and how much energy I still feel inside me to continue growing together with the team."
Could Vettel be tempted by another F1 team?
Vettel started his F1 career with BMW Sauber back in 2007, making a one-off appearance in place of the injured Robert Kubica. He then spent a brief spell with Toro Rosso, quickly gaining promotion to the Red Bull team and racking up his four world titles, before a mixed stint at Ferrari failed to yield another crown. Having swapped Ferrari for Aston Martin in 2021 as part of the British team's ambitious five-year title-winning plan, Vettel added that racing for another outfit is not on his mind. "I'm not thinking about that at the moment," he commented. "Aston Martin is my first point of contact and the project I want to drive forward."
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