Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion, has revealed that he has entertained thoughts of returning to Formula 1 after retiring in 2022, although it remains a secondary consideration for him at present.
The 36-year-old German, who secured consecutive titles for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, disclosed that he has been contemplating a potential comeback while acknowledging the vacant seat at Mercedes for the 2025 season, following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Vettel stated, “I’m having thoughts that are crossing my mind and thinking about [a return]. But at this stage, my mindset generally hasn’t changed so it really depends on what’s coming up.”
While Vettel remains in contact with key figures in the F1 community, including Toto Wolff of Mercedes, he emphasized that a return to the sport is not his primary focus at the moment.
Both Hamilton and his potential Mercedes teammate, George Russell, expressed their approval of Vettel’s possible return, highlighting his experience and personality as valuable assets to any team.
Reflecting on his former team, Red Bull, Vettel acknowledged ongoing uncertainties surrounding Max Verstappen’s future amidst controversies involving team principal Christian Horner. Vettel maintained contact with Horner but refrained from commenting on the internal matters, stating, “You never know what source to trust.”
Furthermore, Vettel addressed F1’s efforts towards sustainability, expressing excitement about the introduction of synthetic sustainable fuel in 2026 as part of the sport’s initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. He deemed the development long overdue but crucial for the future of the sport.