Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirms Sebastian Vettel comeback stance with duo always talking
Mercedes are looking for a Lewis Hamilton replacement and Sebastian Vettel has been linked with a surprise return.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has played down speculation that Sebastian Vettel could return to Formula One to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. A surprise comeback for Vettel has been rumoured since Hamilton’s decision to quit the Silver Arrows in a year’s time was announced on Thursday.
Four-time world champion Vettel retired in 2022 after spending the final two years of his career at Aston Martin. He has spent the year since his exit from the sport lending his support for social and climate justice campaigns, and built a bee hotel at the Japanese Grand Prix last year.
The 36-year-old remains in close contact with Mercedes team principal Wolff. Their close relationship has prompted suggestions that Vettel could replace Hamilton in 2025.
Last September, Red Bull technical advisor Helmut Marko teased that Vettel’s career as a driver was “not over yet”. Marko feels that Vettel has not “found a purpose” since moving away from the grid.
However, Wolff has ruled out Vettel joining Mercedes. He said on Friday that he had recently spoken with the German, but that their conversation did not involve talks over a return to the grid.
Wolff said: “I think he made the decision to not race anymore. We are talking on a regular basis. We’ve also talked yesterday, but it wasn’t about driving for us in the future.”
Hamilton’s shock decision to quit Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025 was announced on Thursday. The 39-year-old only signed a new contract with the Silver Arrows in the summer, a deal that was meant to keep him tied down for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
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However, a clause allowing him to break the agreement midway through the contract reportedly existed, allowing him to join the Scuderia team next year. It will bring to an end 11 years of Hamilton driving for Mercedes, in which time he won six of his seven World Championships.
Attention has turned to who will replace the Briton at Mercedes. With Vettel ruled out, there could be the opportunity for Carlos Sainz to complete a blockbuster swap.
Sainz has announced that he will step aside from Ferrari when his contract expires at the end of 2024, allowing Hamilton to take his seat alongside Charles Leclerc. Mercedes’ George Russell has already teased that his preference would be the Spaniard, tweeting a picture of the pair alongside the caption: “The crossover we love to see.”