Mattia Binotto, the newly appointed Audi F1 Chief, has addressed the growing rumors surrounding Sebastian Vettel’s potential return to Formula 1 with Audi’s Sauber team. The speculation has been fueled by Vettel’s past connections to Binotto at Ferrari and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner suggesting the four-time world champion would be a great fit for the German manufacturer.
Vettel, who retired from F1 at the end of 2022 to focus on family and personal pursuits, has been the subject of constant speculation, with whispers of a comeback as early as 2025. However, Binotto has played down any immediate decisions on the matter.
Speaking about his relationship with Vettel, Binotto said: “I loved working with Sebastian. We had a great relationship during our time together at Ferrari, and I know his strengths as both a driver and a person. But he has been out of the sport for a while, and the situation will take careful consideration.”
Vettel, now 37, has largely stayed out of the racing spotlight since his retirement, although he did recently test Porsche’s Hypercar for a possible future Le Mans entry. The idea of him joining Audi, a fellow German giant, has only added fuel to the rumors.
As Audi prepares for its full F1 entry with Sauber, one seat is confirmed with Valtteri Bottas for 2025, leaving the other spot currently open. Binotto, only a few weeks into his role, has made it clear that he will need time to evaluate the situation before making any major decisions.
“I’ve only been with the team for a short period, and it’s important to take the time to assess everything properly,” Binotto said. “We will be looking for the best available driver for the project, but right now, it’s too early to speculate.”
While Binotto’s response leaves the door open for Vettel, it is clear that any decision on a potential comeback would require careful analysis of the team’s future goals and Vettel’s interest in returning to the grid. As Audi sets its sights on building a competitive team, all eyes remain on their driver lineup for the 2025 season.
