Sebastian Vettel said he was surprised by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari after winning six titles.
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has hinted he could make a return to the sport following discussions with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Mercedes are looking for a new driver after Lewis Hamilton announced in February he was leaving the Silver Arrows for Ferrari after 11 years with the team.
The German driver won his four world championship titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013. He retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season after six years at Ferrari and two at Aston Martin.
The 36-year-old hinted at a return to Grand Prix racing after discussions with Wolff and several other team bosses.
“I’m talking to Toto. I don’t know if it’s about Mercedes, but about other things,” Vettel told Sky Sports News.
“I talk to a lot of people because I know them, but not in a very specific way. I mean, obviously it crosses my mind, I think about it, but it’s not the main thought,” added the 36-year-old German.
“I have three kids at home, it’s busy every day, so I have a lot of other thoughts. I have ideas.
“Events I’m planning in the future, so I’ve also spoken to many other team principals, and not just about racing. There are thoughts, but nothing concrete at the moment.
Vettel said he was surprised by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari after winning six titles.
“I was surprised, like most of us, I suppose,” he said.
“But it’s exciting. He’s obviously looking for a new challenge and it will be different to see him in red, in a different color.
Vettel, meanwhile, tested the Porsche car scheduled to compete in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“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 did some tests. I was curious, so I wanted to see what it felt like. It’s obviously a different discipline. It’s still racing, but it’s a different car, a different discipline.
“I am (tempted) and I am not. I’m obviously looking for a lot of other things as well and there are a lot of other things that interest me outside of racing.
Hamilton says Vettel would be an ‘incredible option’ for Mercedes
Hamilton said he would love to see Vettel return and described him as an “incredible option” for Mercedes.
Hamilton has given Vettel his seal of approval, telling reporters ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix that he would “love for Seb to come back”.
“I think he would be an incredible option for the team,” Hamilton said.
“A German driver, a multi-world champion driver and someone who has incredible values who can continue to move this team forward. I would love for him to come back.
Vettel’s return was also welcomed by George Russell, who will remain at Mercedes.
“Sebastian is a great person and he’s a four-time world champion,” Russell said.
“Of course his personality is missing on the grid and I think it is important that we have the best 20 drivers in the world, all competing for race wins and championships.”
Russell added that he was “really happy and open to having anyone” as a teammate.
“Whether it’s a world champion or a rookie, it doesn’t change the way I go about my business,” he said.
Hamilton said he had “generally no thoughts” about who his successor would be.
“I think the only thing that really matters to me is that the team recruits someone with integrity, with values that correspond to the team and the direction it is taking,” he said. -he declares.
“Someone with compassion to work with all these great people and continue to lift them up.”
Hamilton has admitted he doesn’t “know how to handle” his time at Ferrari, with almost a full season still to go.
But he assured Mercedes he was committed to finishing strong.
“All my energy goes into this,” he said.
“Of course there is enthusiasm for the future. At the moment we are going through a difficult phase, that is my challenge.
(with contributions from AFP)
