Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has explained that he never regretted his decision to join Scuderia Ferrari. However, looking back, he admits that he would have left Red Bull Racing differently, a team with which he says he still shares a deep and lasting bond. And understandably so, considering the four World Championship titles they celebrated together between 2010 and 2013.
After dominating the Formula 1 grid for four consecutive years with Red Bull Racing, Sebastian Vettel made the high-profile move to Ferrari ahead of the 2015 season. During his time with the Maranello-based team, the German driver secured 14 Grand Prix victories and twice finished as runner-up in the Formula 1 World Championship standings. However, the ultimate goal—winning a title with Ferrari—remained out of reach.
Despite never becoming World Champion in a red suit, Sebastian Vettel, originally from Heppenheim, Germany, has no regrets about having made the switch to Scuderia Ferrari. “I don’t regret that move as such,” emphasized the 38-year-old during an interview on the Sport am Sonntag podcast for Austria’s ORF network. “I think that experience taught me a lot—especially in terms of understanding what I had at Red Bull Racing at the time.”
However, Vettel also reflected on how his exit from Red Bull Racing wasn’t handled in the best way. “I think the human aspect got lost a little bit,” he admitted, referring primarily to the secrecy surrounding his contract with Ferrari at the time of his departure from Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel Still Feels a Strong Connection to Red Bull Racing
Because, in his own words, he “stuck too rigidly to certain agreements,” Vettel’s transition from Red Bull to Ferrari ended up feeling a bit abrupt. Looking back now, he acknowledges that he would handle the process differently if he could. “But overall, I had a fantastic experience and I still have a great relationship with everyone I worked with back then,” he added.
The four-time Formula 1 World Champion admitted that with hindsight, things could have been handled with more openness. “I think it would have been more dignified to talk about it openly and maybe not strictly follow that confidentiality clause,” said Vettel, referencing the quiet nature of his departure.
Although his time at Ferrari was filled with positive moments and personal growth, Sebastian Vettel made it clear that it never quite surpassed his incredible years at Red Bull Racing. “The people and the moments we shared together, and how much that bonded us,” Vettel explained, hinting that he has never quite experienced anything comparable since.
“Even though I had a very enjoyable time later at Ferrari, a big part of me still identifies with Red Bull and Red Bull Racing,” said the German driver, making clear just how deeply those years shaped his identity as a competitor in Formula 1.
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