Vettel cannot imagine a return to Formula One

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel cannot imagine a return to Formula One. "Formula One is over.

Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel attends the German Sustainability Award ceremony. Henning Kaiser/dpa
Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel attends the German Sustainability Award ceremony. Henning Kaiser/dpa

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel cannot imagine a return to Formula One.

"Formula One is over. At some point, it's time to let others take the field," he told the Auto, Motor und Sport magazine.

"I think it's good that a whole generation has been replaced. This is not a vote against the old, but one in favour of the young," he said.

"I didn't use to care back then which of the established drivers was no longer driving. The main thing was that I was allowed to drive."

Vettel, 38, retired from F1 at the end of 2022 saying he wanted to spend more time with his wife Hanna and their three children. He has flirted with a possible return from time to time, but has never become serious about it.

Since ending his F1 career, Vettel has dedicated much of his time to his environmental and sustainability projects. He is also co-owner of the Germany SailGP sailing team.

Vettel won four consecutive F1 titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013.

Last month, the German revealed that he was in early talks with his former team and current Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko about the idea of succeeding the 82-year-old Austrian when his contract with the team ends in 2026.

"What form that might take will have to be seen," Vettel told broadcaster ORF at the time.

Marko has been involved with Red Bull since the team's beginnings in 2005 and has already said that Vettel would be his ideal successor.

Category: General Sports