Sebastian Vettel could remain as part of the Formula 1 world even beyond his retirement as a driver.
The four-time world champion announced on Thursday that this season will be his last. He plans to take a break from racing to focus on other priorities in his life, such as spending more time with his wife and children.
But there is a chance his face may not disappear from the paddock for good, given he currently holds another role within the sport. For more than a decade, Vettel has been one of the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association to advocate on behalf of his fellow racers.
He stepped up to take on the responsibility in 2010, the year which eventually yielded the first of his four consecutive world titles. And the German has kept the role ever since, currently joined by fellow driver George Russell, former racer Alex Wurz and legal advisor Anastasia Fowle.
F1 racers across the paddock are resigned to losing Vettel as a rival on the track, but retain hope that he might still continue his fine work with the GPDA. "Maybe we'll see if he wants to continue," said Daniel Ricciardo. "Certainly he's done a good job... I think his character is really good for that position."
Valtteri Bottas said: "I feel like its quite hard to replace Seb in that kind of role because [of] the way he is – he's really straightforward and direct and doesn't go around things, just says things as they are and questions many things loudly. I hope he continues."
And Esteban Ocon referred to Vettel as "a great ambassador of all drivers" and thanked him for being someone who "raised his voice when there was concern for our safety and for any sort of things that he didn't like in regards to drivers".
He added: "On that regard I hope he doesn't stay too far away from the paddock."
