Sebastian Vettel insists he has no regrets over his decision to call time on his Formula 1 career at the end of the season despite rolling back the years on the track.
The four-time world champion announced in July that 2022 would be his final year in F1 with his Aston Martin team at that point languishing towards the bottom of the constructor standings.
But both Vettel and the team have enjoyed an upturn in form since the summer break, particularly in the last three races, with the German even finding himself leading Sunday's US Grand Prix in the latter stages.
He looked certain to record a top-five finish before a botched pitstop, but the 35-year-old recovered to claim a seventh-placed finish and the driver of the day award.
Vettel's sensational overtake on Kevin Magnussen on the last lap was branded 'one of the best moves I've ever seen' by fellow former world champion Jenson Button.
It came after his epic duel with another ex-title winner Fernando Alonso in Japan and saw fans clamouring for the former Ferrari man to rethink his decision to walk away from the sport.
Some called for Vettel to form an all-German alliance with Mick Schumacher following the news that Audi will be partnering with Sauber in 2026.
But Vetttel insists his decision to retire is set in stone, and there is no chance of him lining up on the grid in 2023.
When asked if his recent form had caused a rethink, he told Bild: "No. Of course I will miss such moments, that’s no secret. But I thought about the decision for a long time and also about such moments and the adrenaline that I will miss.
"Part of me will miss it, but another part of me is looking forward to what’s coming."
Vettel plans to spend more time with his family following the final three races of his illustrious career, starting with the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend.
