How to Leave a Job
Sebastian Vettel’s announcement of his retirement is an object lesson on how to “retire.”
Sebastian Vettel’s retirement announcement is an object lesson on how to leave a job. Here’s what he said:
“I hereby announce my retirement from Formula One by the end of the 2022 season. Probably I should start with a long list of people to thank now, but I feel it is more important to explain the reasons behind my decision.
I love this sport. It has been central to my life since I can remember. But as much as there's life on track, it has never been my sole identity. I very much believe our identity is about how we treat others rather than what we do.
Who am I?
I am Sebastian, father of three children and husband to a wonderful woman.
I'm curious and easily fascinated by passionate, skilled people. I'm obsessed with perfection. I’m tolerant and feel we all have the same right to live, no matter what we look like, where we come from, and who we love.
I love being outside and love nature and its oneness.
I'm stubborn and impatient. I can be really annoying. I like to make people laugh.
I like chocolate and the smell of fresh bread. My favorite color is blue. I believe in change and progress and that every little bit makes a difference. I'm an optimist, and I believe people are good.
Next to racing. I have grown a family that I love being around.
I've grown other interests outside Formula One. My passion comes with lots of time spent away from them and takes a lot of energy. Committing to my passion the way I did no longer goes side by side with my wish to be a great father and husband. The energy it takes to become one with the car and the team to chase perfection takes focus and commitment.
My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow, passing on my values, helping them up when they fall and listening to them when they need me. Not having to say goodbye and, most importantly, being able to learn from them. Our children are our future.
Further, I feel there's so much to explore and learn about life and about myself. Speaking of the future, I feel we live in very decisive times, and how we all save these next years will determine our lives.
My passion comes with certain aspects that I've learned to dislike. They might be solved in the future. But the will to apply that change has to grow much stronger and lead to action today. Talk is not enough, and we cannot afford to wait. There is no alternative. The race is underway.
My best race is still to come. I believe in moving forwards and moving on. Time is a one-way street, and I want to go with the times. Looking back is only going to slow you down. I look forward to racing down unknown tracks, and I will be finding new challenges. The marks are left on the track to stay until the time and rain will wash them away. New ones will be put down.
Tomorrow belongs to those shaping today. The next corner is in good hands as the new generation has already turned in. I believe there is still a race to win. Farewell, and thanks for letting me share the track with you. I loved every bit of it.”
Sebastian Vettel.
