Vettel blasts inherent modern F1 trait as motor racing comeback addressed

21:31, 26 Nov

Updated: 22:11, 26 Nov

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byNorberto Mujica

Sebastian Vettel was quizzed on a potential return to motor racing in the Beyond the Grid podcast.

Sebastian Vettel celebrating one of his many wins for Red Bull Racing. Photo: Race Pictures

The German who left Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, has often been the target of rumours that put him back behind the wheel of a racing car. Speaking to the podcast host Tom Clarkson, Vettel was clear he did not miss a much criticised aspect of modern F1 racing.

“It’s the intense moments that I might miss here and there,” he said, “like when I was in Japan for Buzzin’ Corners, watching the qualifying on the sideline.

“I was like, ‘I wish I would be in the car right now’, because I know exactly how it feels in low fuel, that track [Suzuka], new tyres.

“I wish I could explain to you how it feels.

“But then I was there on Sunday as well, and I saw them coming around, full tank, tyres you’ve got to look after and manage – so that bit, I didn’t miss."

Vettel misses the high-octane moments

He instead harkened back to the adrenaline packed moments like qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, or having to fend off or mount attacks for position.

“It’s those moments of Monaco or street circuits when you know, in qualifying, ‘Okay, right now is the time, and you’re on the edge’, or racing when you’re in that fight, and the intensity.

“Somebody’s breathing down your neck or you’re trying to hunt somebody down, and you’re over the radio with the team, you get all the information and what’s going on, and you’re reading the race.

“So, bits like that, yes. But like I said, I also feel that there’s plenty of other things now that I enjoy,” he added.

Vettel addresses comeback

Acknowledging the -unfruitful- talks with Porsche's endurance racing programme, Vettel admitted that he did not rule out a return to active racing.

“I tested the Porsche. It was fun, to be honest. I mean, it wasn’t a Formula 1 car, but also I didn’t expect it to be a Formula 1 car.

“So I can see the element of sharing a car and doing something a bit more together, and the endurance side of things being attractive.

“So I don’t know, if the right opportunity comes up… I was speaking at the time with Porsche, but it just never really materialised.

“I don’t rule it out. I know that I’m getting older, but I’m not ‘old’ old.

“I’m still in very good shape, because I love sports,” he concluded.

Vettel's advice to Hamilton after joining Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel said his main advice to Lewis Hamilton after his move to Ferrari was to learn Italian thoroughly. Speaking on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Vettel noted Ferrari’s heart and culture are Italian, and language barriers can hinder truly understanding people and the team’s culture. Read his statements on the matter here.

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