Sebastian Vettel has revealed he is considering a return to Formula One and has held talks with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, though nothing concrete has yet been proposed.
Vettel retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season, having won four straight drivers’ championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 before representing Ferrari and Aston Martin.
The 36-year-old is now contemplating a return to the sport, though, and there will soon be a high-profile opening at Mercedes.
Read our other sports news stories here:
IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans v Punjab Kings – preview, how to watch and prediction
Man Utd: Martinez and Lindelof out for a month as injury concerns mount
Man City: Guardiola backs Haaland after Keane’s ‘League Two’ jibe
With Lewis Hamilton having agreed to join Ferrari for 2025, Vettel has engaged in talks with Mercedes boss Wolff, who has come under fierce pressure amid the team’s poor start to 2024.
“I’m talking to a lot of people because I know them, but it’s not very specific,” Vettel told Sky Sports. “Obviously, it [returning] 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. I am speaking to Toto. I don’t know if that qualifies as Mercedes, but also about other things.
“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.”
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Vettel is intrigued to see how his former rival Hamilton will fare with the Scuderia, though he believes the presence of another genuine contender in Charles Leclerc could make for an interesting dynamic within the team.
“I was surprised, like most of us, but it’s exciting,” Vettel said of Hamilton’s move. “Obviously, he’s looking for a new challenge and it will be different to see him in red, in a different colour.
“Charles is good, Charles is easy. He’s very quick, very competitive but so is Lewis. So it’s more difficult for the team to manage.”
