Sebastian Vettel says he is considering a return to Formula 1 as talks continue with Mercedes manager Toto Wolff and other team principals.
The four-time world champion retired in 2022 after 16 seasons in F1, but a potential return to the grid has been regularly rumored ever since.
Mercedes has a seat remaining for 2025 following Lewis Hamilton's decision to move to Ferrari, but Red Bull, the team where Vettel won four drivers' titles, will also have a vacant seat due to Sergio Perez's contract expiring. there is a possibility.
Asked if he was in the market for the 2025 seat, Vettel said: sky sports news: “Well, it's possible that I don't have a drive, but their question is, am I looking for a drive? I think it depends on the package.
“I retired from F1 because I wasn't coming back, but I also said you never know. So I think that's still there.”
“Obviously, there are things I miss, but it's mainly the competition. I still enjoy it.”
“I don't know where life will take me, so it may or may not take me back to the wheel.”
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Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz looked back on Sebastian Vettel's career ahead of his retirement in 2022.
I had checked in advance, sky news Vettel said he was “in talks” with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and was asked if he could resist the temptation of an offer from the Silver Arrows.
“I've had conversations with him (Wolf), but it wasn't really about the seats. We talked briefly about the whole situation,” he said.
“But I still keep in touch from time to time and I have told others as well. I have some projects and ideas with F1 and we will see if they come to fruition. Let's.”
“So we're keeping in touch. I don't know. I think we'll have to make a few more calls and have a few more conversations to find out a little bit more. But it's certainly one of the best seats on the grid.” .
“In terms of performance, Mercedes have a great track record, but they've struggled a bit in the last few years, and since then they've struggled, but they're still second and third in the constructors' championship. .We're not racing in no man's land.'' ”
Vettel seduced by chance to race at Le Mans
Should he return to F1, Vettel would only be the third-oldest driver on the grid at the moment, with 39-year-old Hamilton and 42-year-old Fernando Alonso still maintaining a high level of performance. It turns out.
Asked what he missed since hanging up his helmet, Vettel added: “The thrill, the speed. Really, I think number one is the competition.”
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Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has returned to track action by testing the Porsche 963 hypercar that will take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this year.
“It's not all about going fast, but it's actually a competition.”
Vettel recently tested the Porsche hypercar he will drive at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June this year.
The German said he could make his debut in the famous race.
“Maybe we don't know yet,” Vettel said.
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Sebastian Vettel celebrated the end of his F1 career with a donut after the race in Abu Dhabi, with the top three in the championship joining in on the fun.
“I've been testing it. I was interested and wanted to see what it would be like. It's obviously a different discipline. We're still racing, but it's a different car, a different discipline.”
“There's a lot of things that excite me, a lot of different things, and not necessarily just looking at what's behind the wheel, but also outside the car.
“I'm open to (temptations) and I'm not. Of course I'm looking for a lot of other things and I have a lot of interests other than racing.”
“Hamilton's Ferrari switch is surprising but exciting.”
Vettel and Hamilton shared a fierce battle for the world championship early in their careers and had developed a strong relationship by the time Hamilton retired.
Hamilton had been due to replace Vettel at the wheel for Ferrari, but the German admitted he was “surprised” by the switch.
“I was surprised, as most of us are,” Vettel said.
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Sky F1's Ted Kravitz reveals the story behind Lewis Hamilton's shock decision to join Ferrari in 2025 and the potential impact on the entire paddock.
“But it's exciting. Obviously he's looking for a new challenge and it will be different to see him in red or a different colour.”
Vettel remained with the Italian team for the last two of his six seasons with Ferrari, driving alongside Charles Leclerc, who will be Hamilton's teammate next year.
Vettel is confident the pair will get along well, but Ferrari manager Frédéric Vasseur warns they will face challenges in managing competitiveness.
“Charles is good, Charles is easy,” Vettel said. “He's very fast and very competitive, but so is Lewis.
“So I think it's more difficult for the team to manage.”
Sky Sports F1 Japanese GP live schedule
Thursday, April 4th
4:30am: Driver press conference
Friday, April 5th
3:00am: Japanese GP Practice 1 (Session starts at 3:30am)*
6:45am: Japanese GP Practice 2 (session starts at 7am)*
8:15am: F1 Show*
10am: Japanese GP Practice 1 Replay
11:30am: Japanese GP Practice 2 Replay
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A look back at the most exciting title deciding match at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Saturday, April 6th
3:15am: Japanese GP Practice 3 (Session starts at 3:30am)*
6am: Japanese GP qualifying build-up*
7am: Japanese GP Qualifying*
9am: Ted's Qualification Notebook*
9:30am: Japanese GP qualifying replay
Sunday, April 7th
5am: Grand Prix Sunday Japanese GP Build-up*
6am: Japanese Grand Prix*
8am: Checkered flag: Japanese GP reaction*
9am: Ted's Notes*
9:30am: Japanese Grand Prix Highlights*
10:30am: Japanese Grand Prix Replay
*The main event will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports
The biggest season in F1 history continues with the Japanese Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – cancel anytime with no contract
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