Vettel needs rest after an exhausting season

Sebastian Vettel lost the fight for the 2018 title against Lewis Hamilton, having made several errors. He had however won five wins and signed as many pole positions.

After the last round of the season in Abu Dhabi, Vettel said he was eager to get rid of his last year's bonds.

"There are events happening, but what I look forward to after this year, to be very honest, is to unplug everything," commented the German. "I need time for myself, the year has been quite difficult and exhausting, I certainly need a little break, I'm sure, given the last winters, that very soon – usually after 111 days! – I can not wait to run. "

Vettel took part in Pirelli tire tests this week alongside his new teammate Charles Leclerc, after which iHe revealed that he was going to spend a modest offseason and would take care of restoring his very first bike.

"I will enjoy being at home, my family, my friends. Do things I do not usually have time for, do-it-yourself stuff, fix things at home. Small jobs ", explained Vettel during the post-race press conference, before being interrupted by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who had climbed onto the podium by his side.

Hamilton asked him if he really spent time tinkering, to which Vettel replied: "I work on my bikes, it takes a lot of time." When Verstappen asked him if they were old motorcycles, the German continued: "It's my very first bike, the one I was at 15. I'm still trying to restore it so that it looks like the original." Hamilton then wanted to know if it was possible to start it. "Not at the moment !" said Vettel. "It's just a frame with all the rooms next to it, waiting to be rebadembled."

Essential to take a break

After this exchange on the vice-world champion's bike, Hamilton and Verstappen approved the fact that a real break is crucial after a long season of 21 races.

"I have nothing planned for now, but I'm looking forward to spending time with my family," said the Mercedes driver. "Unfortunately, I still have a lot of work to do until mid-December, but I can not wait to be at the winter break and spend time with my sister, the children, my mother and my father. seasons are becoming longer, so this period is becoming more important. "

"I really want to be at home, and do things with my friends too," added Verstappen. "I have not really seen them in the last two months, so it will be good to make up for lost time in December and early January, and then we'll start getting ready again."