Sebastian Vettel F1 retirement claim made ahead of Italian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel could retire from Formula 1 next year if he has another season like this year, according to ESPN pundit Laurence Edmondson.

Vettel has endured a poor season so far, with six podiums to his name but no wins.

The German ace has gone a year since his last win, which came at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2018.

This time out, he has managed three second-placed finishes and three third-spot finishes, but has been unable to make the step to the top spot.

Vettel, who will be entering into the last year of his contract next season, has struggled to cope with having to share the limelight with team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc, 21, won the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, his first win in the sport.

But the Monegasque wonderkid has been impressive so far in making a name for himself at the Prancing Horse.

And F1 pundit Edmondson believes that next year could be the year the 32-year-old Vettel chooses to walk away from the sport.

“It would be the last year of Vettel’s contract [next year], so he’ll be very keen to get back in it,” he said on ESPN.

“But, if you look to the future of the sport, definitely with Leclerc and [Max] Verstappen, and as long as [Lewis] Hamilton wants to continue, he’ll be right up there.

“Those are the guys who are coming through, and also Lando Norris.

“So when we look long-term, certainly Vettel isn’t in the picture, partly due to his age, partly due to what he’s achieved already in his career.