There’s been a lot of buzz in German media about Sebastian Vettel possibly returning to Formula 1, especially with an unconfirmed seat opening up at Sauber/Audi in 2025.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, shared his thoughts on these rumors, expressing doubts about Vettel’s comeback.
Despite the frequent chatter linking Vettel to various teams, including the soon-to-be-Audi Sauber team in 2026, Marko doesn’t see a return happening. He noted, “I have had no contact with him for a while…” adding that he hasn’t heard from Vettel in about three months.
Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
Vettel rose to prominence in F1 by clinching Red Bull Racing’s first driver world title in 2010, a milestone that established him and the team in the sport’s history.
Marko also mentioned having considered bringing Vettel back to Red Bull in a support role post-retirement, but that idea hasn’t materialized. The speculation linking Vettel to Sauber/Audi seems weak without substantial proof.
Since retiring, Vettel has shared his thoughts on a potential return, stating, “I’m following the sport and at the minute there’s quite a lot of movement when it comes to drivers…” However, he made it clear that it’s not his top priority right now.
In a different interview, he reflected on how family considerations play a role in his decision-making: “The kids have already said that they love it the way it is now…” Conversations with his family about a possible return would depend on factors like the car and the overall situation.