F1 race winner claims Vettel may seek INCREDIBLE return

Sebastian Vettel watches F1 at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

F1 race winner claims Vettel may seek INCREDIBLE return

Sebastian Vettel could be in play to return to Formula 1 in 2025

Shay Rogers

Tuesday 27 February 2024 20:57 Updated: 21:15

Ralf Schumacher has backed Sebastian Vettel for a return to the Formula 1 grid, despite having retired at the end of 2022.

The German ended his F1 journey after a couple of underwhelming seasons with Aston Martin, leaving a sense of unfinished business.

With a key Mercedes vacancy open in 2025, the Silver Arrows have the chance to hire a German driver for the first time in nine years if they can lure Vettel out of retirement.

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Both Vettel and team principal Toto Wolff live within 20 minutes of each other and share a close bond, so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility to think that they won’t have discussed the situation.

Sebastian Vettel has a close bond with Toto Wolff

Sebastian Vettel retired at the end of the 2022 season

Schumacher: I’ve heard that Vettel wants to drive again

But Ralf Schumacher believes that Vettel may be the marketable driver that Mercedes needs for the coming years.

“Of course, you have to close a gap now. You saw what happened on the stock market after Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, that triggered something.

“Whether George Russell has the charisma to replace Lewis Hamilton worldwide in terms of marketing or a Sebastian Vettel as a German driver at Mercedes, is probably a bit too big for him.”

Vettel showed towards the end of his time in the sport that he could still perform at the highest level and produce standout performances.

If he hasn’t remained fit in his time away from the sport, he has a year to prepare himself for a comeback if he decides to go for it.

Mercedes Formula 1 Toto Wolff Sebastian Vettel Ralf Schumacher