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Sebastian Vettel on the moment he stopped living for the next F1 win

Story byMotorsport photoAlex HarringtonFri, February 27, 2026 at 8:56 PM UTC·3 min readSebastian Vettel has said his idea of success has moved over time from chasing the next trophy or cheque to being “at peace” and treating people well. Speaking at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, the four-time Formula 1 champion explained how the sport’s relentless cycle can make even titles feel fleeting. The 38-year-old stepped away from the championship at the end of 2022 after starting 299 grands prix, leaving a record that includes 53 wins and 57 pole positions across spells at BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking on how he measures success, Vettel admitted he no longer wears those numbers as a medal. Instead, he focuses on what he believes is the deeper meaning of life. Vettel’s point was that Formula 1’s fast pace can make even the biggest moments feel temporary, because the prep work for the next race begins before the debrief of the last one has even ended. In the early part of his career, Vettel described his mindset as once always chasing the next win.

Sebastian Vettel on the moment he stopped living for the next F1 win

Credit: Yahoo

Key Highlights

  • That approach served him well through his tenure at Red Bull where he achieved four world championship wins. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBy the time he reached his later seasons, first with Ferrari and later in Aston Martin, his idea of success began to evolve.“My dream was always one [title].
  • Then, naturally you go again and there’s the next race.
  • It’s a bit of a shame because you don’t enjoy the moment so much because the next race is coming and you’re so focused on the next one, doing it again,” Vettel said. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RacingSebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing“Later in my career, I realised I had the privilege of so many races, and working with very gifted people mostly.
  • The trophies and the championships is one thing, and it’s what people see and rate as success, but later on you redefine what success means.
  • I’ve not left any burning bridges, I’ve made a lot of friends, I’ve had great experiences with people, and it’s those sort of stories that really make who you are rather than what you did and what you achieved in a certain moment."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe added: "When I was young it was all about trophies because I wanted to get the biggest trophy and I wanted to be the best.
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Sources

  1. Sebastian Vettel on the moment he stopped living for the next F1 win

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

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