Sebastian Vettel made his last appearance on the grid at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, yet the four-time champion is often linked with a possible return to Formula 1.
The 37-year-old elected to walk away from the pinnacle of motorsport at the end of his 15th full season. Vettel retired from Formula 1 as the performance of Aston Martin failed to meet his expectations in 2022 and attempts to upgrade their car did not bring the hoped rewards.
Aston Martin had tried to convince Vettel to extend his contract for a third season as he had been a positive influence on the Silverstone squad after spells with Red Bull and Ferrari. The German was a great leader, who offered helpful feedback to develop their car and the team.
Sebastian Vettel is ‘almost certain’ he will not return to Formula 1
Vettel is statistically one of the best Formula 1 drivers of all time, helped by his drivers’ titles won with Red Bull during the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. He ranks fourth in history for Grand Prix wins (53), fourth for pole positions (57) and third for podiums (122) taken yet.
So, when seats become available at top and leading midfield Formula 1 teams, Vettel is one name often linked. Mercedes considered Vettel to replace Lewis Hamilton before promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli from Formula 2. He was also linked with a return in 2025 with Sauber.
But Vettel is increasingly clear that his future is not in Formula 1 and that a comeback is not likely. Yet the Heppenheim native is open to resuming his racing career. He is yet to race in a series since leaving F1 but has tested with Porsche’s World Endurance Championship team.
“Well, I think it’s almost certain not in Formula 1,” Vettel told sport.de. “Perhaps [I] get into a different racing car in the future. Of course, [it would] not mean the same intensity as in the past… At the moment, nothing is set in stone.”
While Vettel does not have anything confirmed for 2025 as yet, joining the World Endurance Championship and racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is potentially an option. The German is clear that he will only join the WEC grid if Vettel believes he would be competitive, however.
“That could be, yes,” Vettel added. “If so, then it will come down to something like that. But when I take part, I also have a certain basic ambition and that also brings with it a certain amount of time.
“Of course, that’s not comparable to Formula 1, which now has 24 races. That’s a different story.”
Porsche have kept the door open for Sebastian Vettel to race at Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is certainly one option for Vettel as he weighs up a return to some form of motorsport in 2025. Porsche chiefs have also often kept the door open for Vettel to drive in one of their cars at the WEC’s showpiece race after testing with the team this year.
It would be a huge coup for Porsche to tempt Vettel to resume his racing career and bring a Formula 1 great to Le Mans. He can even strive to follow Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg and many more former F1 drivers like Johnny Herbert who have won at Le Mans in the past.
Vettel is one of F1’s all-time bests with only Hamilton (4,847.5) scoring more points than the German (3,098) to date. But newly-crowned four-time champion Max Verstappen is closing in with 2,989.5 points as of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix and also now has more wins (62).
