Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has finally spoken clearly about his potential return to F1, but it’s not as a driver. After retiring from racing at the end of the 2022 season, Vettel has kept the door slightly open for coming back in other roles, but made it clear that his days behind the wheel in Formula 1 are over.
What Did Sebastian Vettel Say?
In a recent interview, Sebastian Vettel said, “Not as a driver, that time is over,” putting to rest any hopes fans had of seeing him race again on the F1 grid. However, he did mention potential return as he said, “But perhaps taking on one or two roles is absolutely conceivable.”
He mentioned having discussions with Helmut Marko, the long-time Red Bull motorsport advisor who will soon step down, about possibly succeeding him in a key advisory role. This would keep Vettel very close to the heart of F1 racing strategy, but in an off-track position. Marko himself recently said Vettel would be his “ideal” successor.
However, Sebastian Vettel cleared the air by saying he’s “irreplaceable.” He said, “His character alone… and he has made a very, very significant contribution to what the entire team has achieved over the years since 2005. And it might not even be the goal to have someone replace him.”
Since retiring, Sebastian Vettel has enjoyed a quieter life focusing on his family and sustainability projects on his farm. Yet, his occasional visits to the F1 paddock and talks about returning in non-driving roles suggest he still feels connected to the sport’s world. His calm, precise approach combined with his racing experience makes him well-suited for leadership or mentoring positions in motorsport. Whether as a key advisor at Red Bull or exploring endurance racing, Vettel is writing a new chapter in his motorsport story.
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