Vettel needs leave after an exhausting year



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The Ferrari Vettel driver lost to Lewis Hamilton in the title fight in 2018, with several major mistakes making his challenge difficult, despite five wins for Ferrari and five pole positions.

After the season finale in Abu Dhabi last Sunday, Vettel said he was eager to finish his last official engagements of the year.

"We have some upcoming events, but what I'm looking forward to after this year, to be very honest, is to disable everything," Vettel said.

"I need a little time for myself." It was a pretty difficult and exhausting year for me, I really needed a gap.

"I'm pretty sure, from the last winters, that very soon – usually after 111 days! – I'm still very hungry for the next race."

Vettel will take part in this week's Pirelli tire tests alongside new teammate 2019, Charles Leclerc.

The German said that he would spend his off-season quietly, which would include restoration work on the first bike that he owned.

"We still have the test ahead, so it's not yet time to rest," said Vettel. "I think it will be important with the tires for next year.

"And then, I do not know, just enjoy the house, my family, my friends – do things that you do not often have time to do, DIY, do some repairs at home. Small work. "

Vettel, speaking at the post-race press conference, was then interrupted by his teammates, Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Hamilton asked if he was spending a lot of time doing DIY and Vettel replied that he was working on my bikes – [a] very slow process ".

Vettel asked Verstappen if they were old-timer bikes. He replied: "This is my very first bike since the age of 15. I'm still restoring it, I'm going back to the original."

When Hamilton asked if it was still beginning, Vettel replied, "Not at the moment! It's just a frame with all the bits that precede it, waiting for reassembly."

Hamilton and Verstappen agreed with Vettel that a proper stopping time was crucial after a long season of 21 races.

"I have not done a project yet, but I'm looking forward to spending time with my family," Hamilton said.

"Unfortunately, I still have a lot of work to do until mid-December, but I'm excited about the winter break and the time I spend spending time with my sister and the kids, as well as my mom and my father.

"The seasons are getting longer and this period is becoming more and more important."

Verstappen added, "I really want to be at home and do things with my friends too.

"I have not really met them in the last two months, so yes, it is good to catch up with them in December and early January, and then we will resume our preparations."

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB14

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB14

Photo by: Erik Junius

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