Sebastian Vettel reveals retirement plans as Ferrari driver considers his options
Sebastian Vettel has opened up about his retirement plans from F1.
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Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has revealed that he is considering studying mechanical engineering when his days in F1 are over. The 32-year-old four-time Formula One world champion is one of the sport's most successful drivers.
However, the German insisted he would consider returning to his interest in mechanical engineering when he hangs up his gloves.
“Before I started professionally, and before I started my career, when I finished high school, I was planning to go to university and study mechanical engineering," Vettel said, according to PlanetF1.
“So, probably, it is something that I can think of.
“I’ve developed a lot of other interests in the meantime, but still it’s always something that fascinates me – to know and understand how things work.
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“I like to understand the stuff happening in our car, around our car development, and how it all comes together.
“So it could be something for the future.”
So far in his F1 career, Vettel has taken part in 241 Grands Prix, of which he has won 53 and stood on the podium 120 times.
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Vettel's current contract with Ferrari expires at the end of the 2020 season but team principal Mattia Binotto has admitted they are keen to keep the German on beyond this year.
And according to Sky Italia, Vettel has already been handed a"take it or leave it" offer, with Ferrari now awaiting his response.
The report claims Ferrari have offered Vettel a one-year deal that would include a drastic pay-cut.
In 2017 Vettel was rewarded with an £89million (€100m) three-year deal, but the German has not been able to break Mercedes dominance.
Last season he was outperformed by team-mate Charles Leclerc in his debut season for Ferrari and Vettel now has a difficult decision ahead of him.
When asked if he would have any advice for his young self, Vettel said: "I wouldn’t like to give any advice [to myself].
“I think everything that happened, happened for a reason.
“Obviously I’m very lucky and fortunate, having had the career I had so far, and I don’t think I’d be interested in any shortcuts.
“Even if there were difficult times I think you always have the ability to come out stronger.”