SUMMARY
- Sebastian Vettel's potential return to Formula 1 sparks speculation amid Hamilton's move to Ferrari.
- Vettel maintains communication with Wolff, leaving room for comeback discussions.
Sebastian Vettel, after bidding adieu to Formula 1 post the 2022 season, found himself at the center of speculation lately. Right after the Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton announced his transfer to Ferrari in 2025, the F1 community saw an opportunity for Vettel’s potential comeback. With the bombshell news kept under wraps until the previous night, team principal Toto Wolff now finds himself actively searching for a driver to occupy the vacant seat at Silver Arrows.
The Austrian team boss swiftly addressed the rumors surrounding Vettel’s potential return. Initially skeptical, Wolff hinted that the German might not be eager for a comeback. However, recent events have blurred the lines. Following Hamilton’s surprising move to Ferrari, Vettel disclosed that he and Wolff exchanged messages. This left fans becoming optimistic with the hopes that the 4x champion will return.
Sebastian Vettel responds to rumors of comeback with Mercedes
Quite recently, Wolff confirmed that he and Vettel maintain regular communication. However, their talks were likely not only about racing or making a comeback. When asked whether he is ruling out a return to Formula 1, Vettel remained noncommittal. He stressed the fact that things evolve over time and that he is trying to keep his options open, and not just limited to returning to the grid.
📰: Toto Wolff has briefly exchanged text messages with Sebastian Vettel following Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari. Vettel, who retired after the 2022 season, hints at a potential comeback but remains undecided.#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/nyz6KyAEyd
— F1 Naija (@f1_naija) March 2, 2024
When in conversation with the German media house, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Vettel stated, “The Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff didn’t call me, but we briefly exchanged text messages. But so far it’s not an issue for me, also because at 36 I still have all the time in the world. So it’s not going away.”
However, he further added, “But my omens haven’t changed. I think I’ve learned and understood a lot in this one year without racing, including about myself. Being on the other side has had a huge impact on me and many questions have come up.” Despite his retirement, he continues to follow the series, a testament to his enduring passion for racing.
Did the 4x champion hint at an F1 return?
Sebastian Vettel’s retirement was one of the most emotional moments in Formula 1 history. The German driver had created a new Instagram account where he posted the announcement. Fans and drivers alike hoped that he would return someday, and probably make a run for the championship title as well. Nonetheless, the recent developments within the organization have invented this new hope.
All aboard the Sebastian Vettel comeback hype train!
Ralf Schumacher reckons a Seb return could be on the cards with George Russell lacking the ‘charisma’ to lead Mercedes into life after Lewis Hamilton…#F1 #SebastianVettel #Mercedes pic.twitter.com/lILgvPcV2g
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) February 25, 2024
But according to Vettel, “I also said back then that there won’t be a clear no in that sense, because I believe that everything is a process. And maybe there will come a point when I say: yes, I would like to come back [to F1].” Vettel bid farewell right after the 2022 season, concluding his stint with Aston Martin, a year fraught with struggles due to new regulations.
Despite that, Vettel contributed significantly to the development of the 2023 car, which saw marked improvements. His successor, Fernando Alonso, reaped the benefits with multiple podium finishes.