Sebastian Vettel hints at Formula One return as he reveals talks with Toto Wolff

Former world champion could make comeback with Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton's exit

Sebastian Vettel ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2022. AFP

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has hinted he could be tempted to make a Formula One comeback after revealing he has been talking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Mercedes are searching for a new driver for 2025 and beyond after Lewis Hamilton announced in February he was quitting for Ferrari after 11 years with the Silver Arrows.

Vettel, who won his four drivers’ titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, left F1 at the end of the 2022 campaign after six years at Ferrari and two with Aston Martin.

Now, though, the 36-year-old has suggested he could return to the sport after speaking to a number of team bosses up and down the paddock.

“I am speaking to Toto. I don’t know if that qualifies as Mercedes, but about other things,” the German told Sky Sports News.

“I’m talking to a lot of people because I know them, but not very specific. I mean obviously it does cross my mind, I do think about it, but it’s not the main thought.

“I have three kids at home, it’s busy every day, so there’s a lot of other thoughts I have. There’s ideas that I have.

“Events that I’m planning going forwards, so I did speak to a lot of other team principals as well, and not only about racing. There’s thoughts, but nothing concrete at the minute.”

A seat at a top team could help Vettel make a decision to return to the grid and he admits he was caught out by Hamilton’s decision to swap Mercedes for Ferrari after winning six world championships with the team.

“I was surprised, like I guess most of us were,” he said.

“But it is exciting. Obviously, he’s looking for a new challenge and it will be different to see him in red, in a different colour.”

Meanwhile, Vettel has been testing a different kind of race car having spent time in the Porsche contender for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

“Maybe, I don’t know yet,” he replied when asked if he could make his first appearance in the famous endurance race this year.

“I’ve been testing. I was curious, so I wanted to see how it feels. It’s obviously a different discipline. It’s still racing, but it’s a different car, different discipline.

“I am (tempted) and I’m not. I am obviously also looking for lots of other things and there’s lots of other things that do interest me outside of racing.”

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  Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain celebrates on the podium after winning the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo / Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

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  Carlos Sainz celebrates after winning the Australian Grand Prix. EPA

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  Carlos Sainz embraces McLaren's Lando Norris after both drivers finished on the podium. Reuters

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  Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc take selfies after Ferrari's 1-2 finish at Albert Park. Reuters

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  Left to right: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari engineer Mateo Togninalli, Carlos Sainz, and Lando Norris on the podium. AP

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  Carlos Sainz arrives on the podium following his victory at the Australian Grand Prix. AFP

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  Carlos Sainz takes the chequered flag to win the Australian Grand Prix. EPA

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  Red Bull driver Max Verstappen leads the race at the start of the Australian Grand Prix. AFP

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  Mechanics work to extinguish a fire in Max Verstappen's car. AP

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  Max Verstappen walks back to the garage after smoke billowed from his car during the Australian Grand Prix. AFP

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  Max Verstappen in the pits after retiring from the race. Reuters

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  Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton returns to the pit shortly before retiring from the race. Reuters

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  Mercedes driver George Russell crashes during the Australian Grand Prix. AFP

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  George Russell crashes into the barriers during the final laps of the Australian Grand Prix. AFP