Sebastian Vettel Isn’t Ruling Out Return to F1 in Place of Lewis Hamilton

Mercede’s F1 team boss Toto Wolff recently described Sebastian Vettel as a "giant" of Formula 1. And with a seat coming open on Wolff’s team starting next season, Vettel might be in line to stage a comeback.

Lewis Hamilton’s shocking decision to move to Ferrari next season will mean an open seat at Mercedes and that could mean a chance for Vettel.

Adding to the intrigue, for his part the 4-time world champion who left F1 at the end of 2022 is not ruling out such a return.

"Toto Wolff hasn't called me," the 36-year-old Vettel told Neue Zurcher Zeitung newspaper, "but we've exchanged a few text messages.

"So far it's not an issue for me, also because at 36 I still have plenty of time."

Vettel says that while watching races from home can be tough, he has no regrets about hanging up his helmet following a difficult stint at Aston Martin in 2022.

"I think I have learned and understood a lot in this one year without racing, including about myself," he said. "Being on the other side has had a big impact on me - a lot of questions have come up.

"So far there are no active plans," Vettel said. But when asked if that's a clear 'no' to the prospect of a return to F1, he answered: "No.

"I believe that everything is a process, and maybe there will come a point when I say 'yes, I'd like to go back'. But at the moment I'm doing very well without driving in Formula 1.

"There's no firm no, no firm yes," Vettel added, revealing that he will shortly go for a "medical check", which is "mandatory if you want to keep your racing license".

Leaving the door open to a return gives Wolff, and Mercedes some choices to make.

"Sebastian is a great guy and a giant of this sport,” Wolff told Sky Deutschland ahead of the Bahrain GP.

"I think he still has the speed as well,” he added. “After three or four races we have to decide whether we go for youth or experience. Or do we optimize in the short term and give the youth more time to gain experience?”

That youth looking to gain experience could be Mick Schumacher who is currently a reserve driver for the team.

Wolff is also not categorically ruling out the 24-year-old Schumacher as an option.

"Mick is also part of it," Wolff, "but almost to the point that I feel sorry for him. Because the entire driver market is open and he is one of many possible candidates, but not the only one."

Several other candidates for the empty seat are also subject to speculation. These include Carlos Sainz who Hamilton will replace at Ferrari next year. Sainz put on an impressive drive in the season opening race in Bahrain finishing second behind winner Max Verstappen after passing his current Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

According to former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos Sainz is already focusing on 2025.

"This is his job interview," the Dutchman smiled to Ziggo Sport. "He clearly thinks 'I'm just doing my own thing this season, because no one has given me a seat yet.

"Team orders, forget it. And rightly so. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a world-class season with Ferrari. He drove like he was a fire engine."

Former Haas team boss Gunther Steiner thinks it's obvious that Wolff is grooming 17-year-old sensation Kimi Antonelli for the seat - although 2025 may be too early for the youngster.

"In that case, he can still choose from all the drivers without a contract," Steiner said. "He is in no hurry, because none of those drivers are going to sign anything before Toto makes his choice.

"If you reduce it to just two, I'd have Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg," added Steiner. "If you want to win a championship, you need drivers who have been doing it for a long time."