Helmut Marko issues brutal Sebastian Vettel verdict after F1 hero asked to join Red Bull | F1 | Sport
Helmut Marko has revealed that Sebastian Vettel asked Red Bull ‘again and again’ about a potential return to his former team. The German won four Drivers’ Championship titles with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, but according to the advisor, a fight with Max Verstappen in 2025 ‘wouldn’t be pleasant’.
Speaking to Formel1.de about a potential return for Vettel, Marko revealed: “He also asked us again and again. But next to Verstappen, I don’t think that would be a pleasant time for him.”
Vettel retired from F1 back in 2022 following an underwhelming two-year stint with Aston Martin. Back then, he cited a desire to spend time with his family and the appeal of environmental projects outside of motorsport as the driving factors behind his decision to walk away from the sport.
However, after 18 months out of the spotlight, Vettel is considering a return to the grid. Asked by Sky Sports whether or not he was a factor in the 2025 driver market, he said: “Well potentially I am because I haven’t got a drive, but the question is, am I looking for one? I think it depends on the package.
“I retired from Formula One not to come back but I did say ‘you never know,’ so… I think it still stands. Obviously, there are some things that I miss, which are mostly the competition, and things that I don’t miss.
“That hasn’t changed, life is very different if you’re not involved [in F1], and I do enjoy that still — still trying lots of different things.” He later added: “You never know where life is taking you, so maybe it takes me back behind the wheel, maybe it doesn’t.”
Vettel has been linked with a move to Mercedes as well. The 36-year-old was touted as a potential short-term option for Toto Wolff as the Silver Arrows’ chief searches for a replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. However, with Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli the frontrunners for that seat, this door also appears to be closed.
If Vettel is to make a return to the cockpit, then his most likely avenue will be not through F1, but endurance racing. He completed a testing program with the Porsche 963 Hypercar project earlier this year and expressed interest in joining the German manufacturer’s roster for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ultimately, Porsche opted not to name Vettel in their 2024 line-up on grounds of experience with Mathieu Jaminet, Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr selected instead, but this will likely not be the end of the four-time world champion’s World Endurance Championship journey.
