Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, has suggested that he might consider returning to Formula One, indicating discussions with the head of a prominent team.
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Sebastian Vettel Contemplates Formula One Comeback
Mercedes is in pursuit of a new driver for the 2025 season and beyond following Lewis Hamilton’s announcement in February that he would be departing for Ferrari after an 11-year tenure with the Silver Arrows.
Vettel, who secured his four drivers’ titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, exited Formula One at the conclusion of the 2022 season after six years with Ferrari and two with Aston Martin.
However, the 36-year-old has now hinted at a possible comeback to the sport, having engaged in discussions with various team principals across the paddock.
“I am speaking to Toto. I don’t know if that qualifies as Mercedes, but about other things,” the German told Sky Sports News.
“I’m talking to a lot of people because I know them, but not very specific. I mean obviously it does cross my mind, I do think about it, but it’s not the main thought.”
“I have three kids at home, it’s busy every day, so there’s a lot of other thoughts I have. There’s ideas that I have.”
“Events that I’m planning going forwards, so I did speak to a lot of other team principals as well, and not only about racing. There’s thoughts, but nothing concrete at the minute.”
A position at a leading team could sway Vettel towards returning to the grid, and he acknowledges being taken aback by Hamilton’s choice to trade Mercedes for Ferrari, having clinched six world championships with the team.
“I was surprised, like I guess most of us were,” he said.
“But it is exciting. Obviously he’s looking for a new challenge and it will be different to see him in red, in a different colour.”
Vettel Considers New Racing Ventures Beyond Formula One
In the meantime, Vettel has been exploring a different realm of racing, having devoted time to testing the Porsche contender for the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
‘Maybe, I don’t know yet,’ he replied when asked if he could make his first appearance in the famous endurance race this year.1′
‘I’ve been testing. I was curious, so I wanted to see how it feels. It’s obviously a different discipline. It’s still racing, but it’s a different car, different discipline.’
‘I am (tempted) and I’m not. I am obviously also looking for lots of other things and there’s lots of other things that do interest me outside of racing.’
Despite labeling Formula One as “an old-fashioned business” earlier this week, Vettel’s hint about a potential comeback to the sport arises amidst the controversy surrounding Christian Horner. The Red Bull boss faced allegations of “coercive behavior” by a female staff member, although he was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.
Vettel, who competed for Red Bull from 2009 to 2014, expressed that the Horner controversy was casting a shadow over the team’s efforts.
‘I think with these things, it’s always difficult to know everything and it would be nice if there was simply more transparency so that you really could have more of an opinion,’ he said.
‘The shame is that obviously Max [Verstappen] is doing a great job. The team – [including] a lot of individuals I remember from my time there, are doing a great job in the background and that’s sort of forgotten when the subject hovers around something else.’
‘I think with these things, it’s always difficult to know everything and it would be nice if there was simply more transparency so that you really could have more of an opinion‘
Later, when questioned about the treatment of women in Formula One, he remarked, ‘F1 is changing, but it’s an old fashioned business in many ways.’
‘So first of all, there weren’t many [women working in F1 during his time] but, you know, the numbers were going up.’
‘So when I started and when I left, there were a lot more women in the paddock and a lot more women not just following the sport, but also working in the sport.‘
‘I think that’s a positive change but really, like everywhere else, there’s still room for improvement.’
