Former Minardi F1 Boss Says Maybe It's Time for Sebastian Vettel to Retire

Former F1 team founder Giancarlo Minardi thinks quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel should call it a career.

It's a stinging comment after one of Vettel's worst performances ever in Formula 1 last weekend in Melbourne. Vettel's weekend in Melbourne following two missed races due to a positive COVID test was rather forgettable. It included an engine issue that cut short practice, a crash in the third practice, and a qualifying effort that left him to start the race in 17th.

Vettel went on to finish 19th after a spin out and crash had him out of the race on Lap 23.

"He was unlucky to have missed two Grands Prix because of COVID," said the 74-year-old Minardi, who is now the president of the Imola circuit in Italy. "But he should retire. He has a lot of money, he has won titles and he will never win again."

Minardi told the Italian Corriere della Sera newspaper.

Minardi's comments come amid speculation that the 34-year-old Vettel may be replaced at struggling Aston Martin by Fernando Alonso, who may need to make room at Alpine for the reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri.