Sebastian Vettel suggests a possible return to Formula 1, potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. However, this seems highly unlikely to happen. Vettel retired in 2022 at the age of 35, younger than Fernando Alonso and Hamilton, who are still competing in F1. Although Vettel has not revealed his post-F1 racing plans, he recently tested Porsche’s Le Mans hypercar, indicating a possible switch to sports car racing. Hamilton’s surprising move to Ferrari in 2025 created a vacancy at Mercedes, a team with which Vettel has a good relationship with Toto Wolff, the team principal. Vettel could also consider other options, such as Audi’s F1 program set to enter competition in 2026.
In an interview, Vettel expressed his feeling of being young and mentioned that he could have another 10 years in the sport. He acknowledged that Mercedes is one of the best teams on the grid, despite the difficulties in recent years. Vettel’s decision to retire marked the end of a less successful chapter in his F1 career, as he faced challenges at Ferrari and was eventually replaced by Charles Leclerc. Vettel also mentioned a conflict between his F1 career and his growing interest in sustainability initiatives, as well as the desire to spend more time with his family. Although Vettel is open to the idea of returning to F1, he emphasized that it depends on the package and his priorities.
Mercedes has young driver George Russell under contract and is considering potential options to pair with him. Wolff has shown interest in Max Verstappen if he becomes dissatisfied with Red Bull. Other candidates for the Mercedes seat include 17-year-old prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli, established F1 drivers like Alonso and Carlos Sainz, and Mercedes-managed candidates like Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon. Vettel has been in regular contact with Wolff, but their discussions have not specifically focused on the Mercedes seat. Hamilton, on the other hand, believes Vettel would be an excellent choice for Mercedes, considering his championship experience and values. Hamilton emphasized the importance of finding a driver with integrity and aligned values to continue elevating the team.
Although Hamilton’s endorsement of Vettel is significant, a move to Mercedes seems unlikely. Vettel’s media appearances promoting his energy drink have sparked these stories, but he is not seriously being considered for the Mercedes seat. Other drivers are ahead of him on the priority list, and significant market changes would be needed for Vettel to emerge as a legitimate candidate. Vettel’s recent form at Aston Martin has not been impressive, and his return in 2025 would come after two seasons off the track. Additionally, Mercedes is eager to bring Antonelli to their F1 team, which would require Vettel to join on a short-term contract. Overall, a return to F1 for Vettel, especially with Mercedes, seems like a risky bet.
