Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team (AMF1) driver Sebastian Vettel received the prestigious Gregor Grant Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Autosport Awards.
Throughout a Formula One racing career spanning 15 years, which saw him win 53 Grands Prix and four Formula One World Championships, Sebastian Vettel has amassed an enviable array of awards and accolades.
The retiring AMF1 driver added another to his collection at the 2022 Autosport Awards, when honoured with the prestigious Gregor Grant Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his achievement in motorsport. Passionate about the environment, equality and social justice, Sebastian has also used his career as a platform to drive positive change.
Held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, the Autosport Awards are a regular fixture on the international motorsport calendar and see the great and good of the sport gather to celebrate and reflect on the year.
Upon receiving the Award, Sebastian was asked what he would miss about racing: "What I love so much – initially I didn't get it because you're young, but I think the opportunity to work with so many people that are very passionate about what they do.
"I thought 10 years ago, 'That's normal, it's how everybody lives their lives'. But then I found out it's not normal and a lot of people don't have that privilege.
"You have so much motivation from the inside of you coming out and to meet so many skilled men and women along the way and have fun. There's so much that I took from these years.
"I'm not sure what's next for me, but I'm very excited about it.
What I love so much – I think the opportunity to work with so many people that are very passionate about what they do.
"It's not that I hate Formula One, I enjoyed the last couple of races, and after the announcement it was a big weight off my shoulders because this sport has been in my head a long time and I'm very much looking forward to giving my children the time that I had when I was that age.
"My parents made so much time for me and I want to be there as well."
Sebastian was also on hand to crown GB3 Champion Luke Browning as the winner of the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, which secures the 20-year-old British rising star a full test in an AMF1 car and £200,000 as part of his prize.
The most prestigious honour in junior motorsport bestowed at the Autosport Awards ceremony, with a star-studded list of former winners that includes 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button and current F1 drivers George Russell and Lando Norris, the Award is further evidence of Aston Martin's essential role in the development of future British world champions.
This was such an awesome experience, it feels so good to be the winner.
"This was such an awesome experience, it feels so good to be the winner," said Luke.
"It's incredible to be a part of such an amazing award with such an illustrious list of former winners. It feels pretty special to now have my name among them.
"Words can't describe how grateful I am to all the people that have helped me to get here. It's unbelievable to think that a year from now I will be testing an Aston Martin F1 car."
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