Ex-F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel Considering a return to the Sport

Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, has recently considered the possibility of returning to the racing scene. However, he has made it clear that this is not his top priority at the moment.

The 36-year-old German, who achieved consecutive titles for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, decided to retire in 2022.

After Lewis Hamilton’s departure, Ferrari has an open spot for the 2025 season, and Sebastian Vettel is well-informed about the current state of Formula 1.

“I’m contemplating the possibility of making a comeback,” Vettel shared during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

“However, my perspective remains largely the same at this point, so it ultimately relies on what lies ahead.”

Vettel commented on the current state of the sport, noting the significant activity surrounding drivers and the driver market.

“I’m still in touch with a lot of people, as you can imagine. I occasionally have conversations with Toto Wolff.

“It’s not currently the top priority, but I suppose it could change.”

Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell both expressed their support for Vettel’s possible comeback.

“It would be great to have Seb back, as I believe he would bring incredible value to the team,” Hamilton expressed during a news conference held at the Suzuka Circuit ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Fellow Briton Russell remarked: “Sebastian is a wonderful individual. Undoubtedly, his absence is deeply felt on the grid.

“I’m thrilled and willing to work with anyone on my team, regardless of their experience level. It doesn’t affect my approach to my work.”

Verstappen’s future is full of uncertainty and possibilities

Vettel was a part of the Red Bull team from 2009 to 2014, collaborating closely with team principal Christian Horner.

In February, Horner was cleared by an internal investigation regarding his conduct towards a female colleague.

Claims of misconduct and manipulative conduct have been leveled against the individual, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing.

Vettel admitted that he is still in touch with Horner, but he is uncertain about the details and finds it difficult to trust certain sources. Their communication is limited to matters related to sports.

He mentioned that at the start of the season, there were two races where they performed exceptionally well. As a result, he reached out to Horner and extended his congratulations, just like other members of the team.

“In terms of sports, the team is performing exceptionally well.”

Vettel expressed uncertainty about the future of world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull and did not dismiss the possibility of him departing from the team.

Last month, Verstappen defended his father Jos, stating that he was truthful, amidst the controversy surrounding Horner, which was causing a rift among people.

The 26-year-old Dutchman refuted suggestions in the media that he might consider switching from Red Bull to Mercedes following the Horner controversy.

“There have been numerous events and developments in recent months. I never believed that Lewis [Hamilton] would ever leave Mercedes, but it seems that we have all been proven wrong,” Vettel remarked.

“It’s fascinating to see the impact that Hamilton has on the sport, while Max’s actions remain a mystery. It’s a reminder that anything is possible.”

Vettel expressed his enthusiasm for the development of a synthetic sustainable fuel in F1, which is set to be introduced in 2026. He also mentioned that this initiative is part of the sport’s commitment to becoming net-zero carbon by 2030. However, he did mention that this progress should have been made sooner.

He emphasized the significance of showcasing available solutions and alternatives to fossil fuels, highlighting the need to move away from relying solely on them in the long run.

“I think it’s about time this happened, considering the technology has been available for quite some time. Nevertheless, it’s good to see this step being taken, as it is absolutely necessary.”