The Return of Sebastian Vettel? : A Shake-Up in the F1 Transfer Market
The Formula 1 transfer market is abuzz with speculation and rumors, and at the heart of it all is the potential return of four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel.
After a year away from the sport, Vettel has hinted at a possible comeback, stirring up a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue1.
Vettel’s Potential Comeback
Vettel, who is 36 years old, recently joked about feeling “bloody young” with many of his former competitors still active and signing big contracts.
On The Chris Moyles Show on Radio he stated that he could potentially have another decade in the sport, depending on the right package. This statement, coming from a man whose recent favorite interview topic has been climate change, has certainly raised eyebrows.
Of course, the better the car, the better the team, the more exciting it is in terms of the prospect of being successful. I’m following the sport, I see what’s going on — and it might be appealing and interesting, but it really depends on the full package because it’s a big commitment as well.
So, to seriously consider it, I think it would very much depend on the package.
Insiders suggest that Vettel is indeed exploring ways to return to racing. He recently tested a Porsche 963, a hybrid-powered sports prototype raced by various Weissach-aligned teams.
However, it’s too early to say whether Vettel will end up as one of its factory drivers, be it just for the 24-hour enduro or for the full World Endurance Championship.
Speculation and Rumors
During the weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix, media speculation about Vettel’s possible return to F1 with Mercedes was rife. This was largely based on the fact that Lewis Hamilton is set to move to Ferrari, leaving a vacant seat at Mercedes.
Vettel revealed in an interview with Sky Sports that he chats with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff “every now and then”, but did not provide details on the subject of those conversations.
Wolff was vague when asked about Vettel’s 2025 candidacy, stating that Vettel was “never a name you can discount”.
Hamilton, who has nothing to lose by stirring intrigue surrounding his replacement, described his former rival as “an amazing option for the team”.
However, sources suggest that the chances of seeing Vettel behind the wheel of a Mercedes are close to zero.
It appears that Wolff has narrowed down his shortlist to a handful of names, which include Mercedes protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Fernando Alonso, and Carlos Sainz.
The Carlos Sainz & Checo Perez Factor
Carlos Sainz, who is also of great interest to a number of other teams including Aston Martin, Red Bull, and Audi, is a key player in this transfer market1.
Audi, in particular, is believed to be the most active in the market at the moment. Audi’s new F1 project leader Oliver Hoffmann and team CEO Andreas Seidl are keen to sign a top driver as soon as possible and have identified Sainz as their main target.
They are also considering other options, such as Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon, but are waiting for Sainz’s definitive decision first.
Sainz was at the top of Seidl’s shortlist before the start of the season, but his strong start to the championship has been a good advertisement to other potential employers.
However, the most attractive teams for Carlos himself, Mercedes and Red Bull, are reluctant to make an early commitment.
The desire of Mercedes and Red Bull to postpone the decision until at least the summer break could lead Sainz to accept the offer from Audi, which is tempting him with a generous three-year contract.
If that happens, Carlos would have to agree to driving for Sauber (currently racing under the Stake name) in 2025, joining the growing squad that’s preparing to take on the Audi identity the following year.
And while Audi’s decision to buy 100 percent of the Hinwil-based team speaks volumes about the seriousness of the German manufacturer’s intentions, it would be optimistic to expect the team to provide Sainz with a winning car within the allotted three years.
It’s also clear that neither Red Bull nor Audi is seriously considering Vettel.
Marko has already publicly stated that Seb’s return is “not an option”, while Vettel himself isn’t keen on committing to a nascent project like Audi’s.
Red Bull is also in no hurry either. Perez has started the season in exactly the way his bosses would have wanted him to: Checo is still unable to match Verstappen’s level of performance, but that isn’t eating away at him, and he has been content to pick up three second-place finishes in four races.
If he continues like this, there’s no reason to change, at least in the short term — although Red Bull’s racing advisor Helmut Marko has already made it clear that the Mexican’s age (he turned 34 in January) could soon become a factor.
For now, barring any knock-on effects of a Verstappen departure, the most likely option is for Perez to remain at Red Bull Racing for one more season and then make way for Alex Albon, whose contract with Williams expires at the end of 2025. The Grove team has made it clear it has no intention of releasing Albon early.
Conclusion
The potential return of Sebastian Vettel has certainly muddied the waters of the F1 transfer market. With the likes of Mercedes, Red Bull, and Audi all vying for top talent, the 2025 season promises to be an exciting one.
As the season progresses, fans and pundits alike will be eagerly watching for any developments in this high-stakes game of musical chairs that Formula 1 is famous for
