Vettel steps down from GPDA: is he still an option for Mercedes?

Since the announcement that Lewis Hamilton will switch to Ferrari in 2025, speculation about his possible replacement at Mercedes has been rife. Sebastian Vettel's name has also come up several times, despite the fact that he hung up his helmet after the 2022 Formula 1 season. Now, moreover, he is taking a step back in his activities for the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA).

Vettel steps down from GPDA

The GPDA, which acts as the union for F1 drivers, has long been chaired by Alexander Wurz. In addition, there are always several directors: in recent years they have been lawyer Anastasia Fowle, George Russell and Sebastian Vettel, but the latter has recently decided to step down from his position.

Vettel had been an active director of the GPDA since 2010, but already stepped down at the end of 2022 when he left the motorsport's king class. It now appears that he does not intend to actively take up the position again, although he may continue to play a small role. His seat will therefore not be filled by anyone else for the time being.

"Sebastian has stepped back in his active director role. But he remains of course a key person in the GPDA and GPDA history," Wurz said in conversation with PlanetF1.com. "We are always happy when he joins our debates."

Vettel never expressed his intention to return to Formula 1 as a driver. Yet the 36-year-old German has recently been linked with Hamilton's seat that will become vacant at Mercedes in 2025. Toto Wolff admitted to still being in touch with the four-time world champion, but also stated that he did not believe Vettel has any desire to return.