Is Vettel seriously thinking about a comeback? 'Talked with team bosses'

For a good year Sebastian Vettel stayed in the relative lull, but in recent weeks the four-time Formula 1 world champion has been appearing in the public eye with increasing frequency. His test with the Porsche hypercar (and possible participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans?) is bound to prompt a media appearance. Nor did Vettel previously rule out a return to Formula 1. Indeed, he admits to having spoken to several team principal.

Vettel also chimed in with Sky News and needless to say, the 36-year-old German was asked if he might be going to Mercedes, the teams Lewis Hamilton is leaving? "I didn't know that," the German responded with a steady face to that last statement. Only after some probing about a return, Vettel says: "There is bits that do excite me, of course, when I think about it, but there is also bits that don't."

Vettel misses the competition in Formula 1

On what attracts him to a return to F1, Vettel is clear: "Well, the thrill, the speed, I think the competition mostly, really. I mean, driving quick is not the only thing, but it's really the competition." And so perhaps Vettel can return to the sport that has brought him much. The German confirms regularly talking to people from the F1 world. "But not very specific. I mean, obviously, it 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 that I have."

Ultimately, the key question is whether Vettel is in serious talks with Mercedes about the vacant seat? "I’m speaking to Toto. I don't know if that qualifies as Mercedes, but about other things, you know, there's ideas that I have, events that I'm planning going forward. So I did speak to a lot of other team principals as well, and not only about racing."