After a 15-year career in Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel decided to retire at the end of the 2022 season. However, there are rumors of a possible comeback.
According to Sky Sports pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz, Vettel could make a “surprise comeback” to F1, but in a different role. Kravitz thinks it may be difficult for the German to avoid the sport and predicts that he could return to work with one of his former employers.
Kravitz acknowledges that Sebastian Vettel has stated that he has no plans to return as a driver and praises Vettel’s integrity, saying, “I truly believe he has decided not to drive anymore“, but further added, “Ah, d’you know what, I wasn’t sincere in that, here we go, I am coming back as a driver“.
📰: Ted Kravitz predicts that Sebastian Vettel won’t return as an F1 driver after retiring in 2022, but could come back in a management capacity, possibly with Audi or to replace Helmut Marko as motorsport advisor at Red Bull. Marko is discussing a possible retirement as he turns… pic.twitter.com/piskl3w7U0
— F1 Naija 🇳🇬 (@f1_naija) April 16, 2023
The reporter believes that Vettel may join Audi, who is set to enter F1 in 2026, but he also thinks that Vettel will more likely return to Red Bull. The German driver won four consecutive F1 championships in the early 2010s with Red Bull, and Kravitz thinks he may replace Helmut Marko, the team’s long-serving advisor.
The former Aston Martin driver is currently enjoying retirement with his family, and his only racing activity since leaving F1 was an appearance at the Race of Champions earlier this year. However, Ted Kravitz thinks Vettel may find it challenging to keep his distance from Formula 1 and predicts that he may come back sooner than anticipated.
Sebastian Vettel and his final years in F1
Vettel’s last few years in F1 were a mixed bag. After his dominant run with Red Bull, where he won four consecutive world championships from 2010 to 2013, Vettel’s career hit a roadblock. He struggled to find his footing at Ferrari, with his performances on the track leaving much to be desired. The pressure of being a Ferrari driver seemed to weigh heavily on the driver, and he was unable to deliver the results that were expected of him.
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By the end of the 2020 season, Sebastian Vettel joined the Aston Martin team where his performance did not drastically improve although he constantly outperformed teammate Lance Stroll. Mid-way into the 2022 season the driver announced his retirement from F1 saying that he wishes to spend more time with his kids and family but fans do speculate the real reason might be something else.
With the ongoing 2023 season where Aston Martin showed outstanding performance and Fernando Alonso received multiple podiums, Vettel wishes nothing but the best for the team despite his absence. It would’ve been a spectacle to witness Sebastian Vettel on the track with AMR23 which has been receiving constant praise from fans as well as expert drivers like Lewis Hamilton.