Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack says he hopes Sebastian Vettel “regrets” his decision to retire from Formula 1.
Vettel opted to walk away from the sport at the end of the 2022 season, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful careers in F1 history.
Although the German driver is famed for winning over 50 grands prix and being a four-time World Champion, Vettel spent his final F1 years competing in the midfield pack.
He scored points at a handful of races in the final stint of the 2022 campaign, including at his final grand prix in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to Motorsport Magazin, Krack replied when asked if Vettel was in his best form during the 2022 campaign: “I think so, he tasted blood.
“When things went up in Singapore and Suzuka, you could see his joy. When you heard him on the radio, you immediately knew he was there.
“He was sharp, he was really in the flow. You could tell in the last races that a car that gives him more feedback, more performance, motivates him even more.
“I have to say: hats off! He had a difficult time, often dropped out in Q1, but he never let his head down and always continued to support the team and Lance. That was very exemplary.
“I’m glad he’s where he is – but it’s a shame he decided to quit. I hope he regrets it.”
In Vettel’s place arrives Fernando Alonso, who has been tied to a multi-year deal with the Silverstone-based squad.
Although Alonso has a turbulent history with some of his former teams, Krack asserts that he expects no problems working with the Spaniard.
“My only role is to be an element of the team,” he said. “It is important for me to integrate Fernando there, that he is also a part of the team.
“We are not opponents. Being part of the team also means being open and transparent with everything that’s there. We deal with it openly and transparently.
“If we can’t do things, we tell him. If we decide we’re going to do things that way, we tell him openly and honestly and give reasons why. I think as long as we do it that way, there won’t be any problems.
“My goal is for Fernando to become a fundamental member of our team in the long term. We also have to try to make use of the experience he has.
“I think he’s also at an age now where he sees things differently than maybe he did 10 or 15 years ago.”
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