Vettel hints F1 return

Retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has revealed he is considering a comeback to Formula 1 amid discussions with team principles including Toto Wolff.

Vettel retired at the end of 2022 having raced in Formula 1 since the 2007 United States Grand Prix in what became one of the most successful careers in history.

The German won four straight world titles for Red Bull from 2010-2013 while he compiled a total of 53 Grand Prix wins, the fourth highest ever behind only Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen.

After stints at BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull and Ferrari, Vettel hung up his helmet after two seasons with Aston Martin in 2022 stating “my goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing my children grow.”

Sebastian Vettel at a Porsche Penske Motorsport test session. Image:Porsche Motorsport North America

But less than two years on, Vettel might be thinking about a return as the aftershocks of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes departure continue.

With Mercedes having a seat to fill and a number of drivers and seats also up for grabs possibly at the likes of Red Bull and Aston Martin, the 2025 driver market is unpredictable as ever.

To add a further dimension, Vettel said he could consider a return.

“Well, potentially I am because I haven’t got a drive, but the question is, am I looking for one? I think it depends on the package,” Vettel told SKY SPORTS NEWS.

“I retired from Formula 1 not to come back, but I also did say that you never know. So I think it still stands.

“Obviously, there’s things that I miss, which is mostly the competition. And things that I don’t miss, so that hasn’t changed. Obviously, life is very different if you’re not involved and I do enjoy that still.

“You never know where life is taking you, so maybe it takes me back behind the wheel, maybe it doesn’t.”

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If Vettel does make a comeback he would replicate another aspect of the career of his hero Michael Schumacher.

Four years after retiring in 2006, Schumacher made a shock comeback with the return of Mercedes in 2010.

Like Schumacher, who turned heads when after going back to back with Benetton switched to a struggling Ferrari, Vettel also made a stunning move to move to Maranello when he was leading Red Bull.

Toto Wolff and Sebastian Vettel at the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix. Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images

Despite retiring from F1 two years ago, Vettel admitted he has been still in contract with a number of team principals including Mercedes boss Wolff.

“I’ve had conversations with him (Wolff), not really about the seat. We did speak about the whole situation in short as well,” the German continued.

“But I did speak to others as well because I’m still keeping in touch every now and then. I have some projects and ideas together with F1. We’ll see if they will turn out or not.

Sebastian Vettel testing Porsche’s WEC 963 hypercar. Image: Porsche Motorsport North America

“So I am staying in touch. I don’t know. It has to be a couple more phone calls and conversations, I guess, to really find out a little bit more. But for sure it’s one of the best seats on the grid.

“Performance wise, Mercedes has a great track record, struggling a little bit in the last years, but then struggle and you’re still second and third in the constructors’ (championship), it’s not like you’re racing in no man’s land.”

These fascinating quotes arrive just weeks after Vettel tested Porsche Penske Motorsport’s 963 Hypercar. He covered 118 laps and 581km behind the wheel at Motorland Aragon.

Vettel made it clear no decision has been made but is considering a Le Mans debut after a “very nice” experience driving the 963.

“I was curious how these cars behave, and that was the reason for the test. It was a very nice experience, I enjoyed it a lot, I had a lot of fun,” Vettel said in a press conference.

“Now I need to think and decide, and make my mind up what I maybe want to do in terms of racing in the future. But I don’t know yet.”

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