Vettel discloses racing future: Is an F1 return in the cards for the former champion?
Photo: Race Pictures
A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Sebastian Vettel has been out of the fray since the end of 2022 when he hung up hs racing boots. The former F1 champion now discloses what his future in motorsport looks like.
After his departure, and particularly with Lewis Hamilton announcing that he was leaving Mercedes prior to the 2024 F1 season's start, Vettel's name sounded as a candidate to take over the then vacant drive.
However, it was only rumours unfounded rumours, as the German racing outfit's plans became clear. A bet on the future and on the team's junior driver programme was the path to be chosen as Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed an intense TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme intended to ready him for his F1 debut this season.
In recent times Seb Vettel has been linked as Helmut Marko's replacement at Red Bull
Vettel shoots down any talks of a potential F1 comeback
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When Vettel retired he did so to spend more time with his family, and in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport, the Heppenheimer firmly denies a potential F1 comeback.
"Formula 1 is over. At some point, the time is ripe to leave the field to others. You can see that with the rookies," he said to the German outlet.
"I think it's good that a whole generation [of F1 veterans] has now been replaced. This is not a vote against the old, but one for the young."
"In the past, I wasn't interested in which of the established ones no longer drives. The main thing is that I get to drive," Vettel said.
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Vettel sets sights on the WEC series
The former BMW Sauber, Toro Rossos, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin driver does seem open to the idea of taking part in endurance racing and refrains from ruling an incursion in the WEC (World Endurance Championship, ed.) out.
As per the reasons why a return to active racing in said series has not come to fruition, Vettel says the necessary factors have simply not fallen into place.
More than not ruling it out, Vettel's heart with regards to endurance racing has now changed. "I see that with different eyes today. I think it's really exciting to make compromises in this team structure, to share a car."
Plus, one of the upsides to the WEC series is that the calendar consists only of 8 races, a substantial drop from F1's 24 Grand Prix weekends per season.
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"The WEC would actually fit in well with its eight races, which are also stacked up differently than Formula 1," said Vettel.
The former F1 champion, though, would have to immerse himself if he was to undertake the endurance racing challenge.
"It has always been the case that I want to do it right when I get involved in something. Just a little bit of riding is not for me."
What exactly would it take for Vettel to finally make the decision to reignite his active racing career, albeit if this time is in the WEC?
"The right constellation at the right time, the right partnership, the right outlook," the Heppenheimer concluded.
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