Ralf Schumacher: “Sebastian Vettel wants to drive again…”
Ralf Schumacher hints that Sebastian Vettel wants to come out of retirement
Sebastian Vettel wants a racing return and would suit Mercedes, insists Ralf Schumacher.
Mercedes need to find a replacement for Lewis Hamilton who, after this season, will go to Ferrari in 2025.
They should consider the retired Vettel, insists his fellow German.
"I heard that Sebastian Vettel wants to drive a car again,” Schumacher told Sky Germany.
“Of course you have to close a gap now.
“You saw what was going on in the stock market after Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari, that triggered something.
"Whether George Russell has the charisma to replace Lewis Hamilton worldwide in terms of marketing or Sebastian Vettel as a German driver at Mercedes, that is probably too big for him."
Four-time F1 champion Vettel retired in 2022
ended his F1 career in 2022 after a stint with Aston Martin.
Only Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen have won more F1 grands prix than Vettel’s 53.
He is still only 36, younger than Hamilton.
Toto Wolff has already been asked about bringing Vettel out of retirement to replace Hamilton.
“I think he made the decision to not race anymore,” Wolff said.
“We are talking on a regular basis. We’ve also talked yesterday, but it wasn’t about driving for us in the future.”
The 2024 F1 season will be the second without Vettel on the grid.
Other options to replace Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025 include the teenage Formula 2 talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli, or Fernando Alonso who will be out of contract.
Carlos Sainz is also seeking a new drive after losing his Ferrari seat to Hamilton, while Mercedes already retain links to Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
