One of Formula 1’s biggest legends, Sebastian Vettel, retired from the sport at the end of the 2022 season. This was a shocking exit for every fan of the sport, as he was still quite young. Comparatively, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who are older than the German great, are still going strong. Both the Mercedes and Aston Martin drivers have been proving that age is not a barrier for racing, especially in F1, anymore. Hence, the sudden retirement of still young and fit four-time champion shocked every fan.
But in the last two years, he has also given hints of a potential return to the sport. And again, it’s not very new in Formula 1 to see drivers come out of retirement. Vettel’s countryman, the great Michael Schumacher, came out of retirement to join Mercedes back in 2011. Then, Fernando Alonso came out of retirement to replace Vettel at Aston Martin. Hence, anything is possible, and that’s exactly what the four-time champion indicated ‘again’ lately.
Is Sebastian Vettel Returning To Formula 1?
Recently, on Instagram, an F1 fan’s account called ‘Pitstop’ dropped hints that Vettel is returning to the sport. The ‘Pitstop’ host on social media suggests the four-time champion will get back to his ‘Home team,’ Red Bull. After all, that’s where he won his four championships. Then, Sebastian Vettel stayed with Ferrari for six years, but he could not win a title. Finally, he joined Aston Martin, which was his final season. But now, it seems, the four-time champion is gradually getting his mind ready to get back to the sport that he loves so much. And the fans love him so much. He is 36 at present. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton is 39 years old, and Fernando Alonso is 42 years old. Hence, Vettel can race for another six-seven years for sure if he resumes his career as soon as possible.
The video that ‘Pitstop’ shared showed Sebastian Vettel saying, “I could have another ten years in the sport, and I’m ahead of them in terms of keeping fit and energized.” Now, what does that mean? Perhaps he has made up his mind about coming back and that’s the competitive side of the four-time champion. Anyway, the ‘Pitstop’ host shared his own opinion that Sebastian Vettel might replace Max Verstappen with Sergio Perez staying where he is. But fans might not agree with that idea. However, if Mercedes gives a good offer and package to the reigning champion, he might actually replace Hamilton.
Entire Driver’s Market Turned Upside Down Since Hamilton Announced His Departure
Early in 2024, Lewis Hamilton shockingly announced that he would leave Mercedes after this season to join Ferrari in 2025. Since then, the top demand in the driver’s market has been to find Hamilton’s replacement at the Silver Arrows. Then, the big question was: “Where would Carlos Sainz Jr. go?” Well, the Spaniard signed with the Williams F1 team recently. Toto Wolff had said that his team was looking to prioritize young drivers.
Hence, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the F2 prodigy, was the favourite to replace the seven-time champion next year. But now, if Sebastian Vettel is available in the Driver’s market, then he can surely replace his past rival cum good friend, Hamilton. Moreover, recently, Vettel told Sky Sports that he had a conversation with Wolff about the “Whole situation in short but not really about the seat.”
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