Sebastian Vettel is unlikely to make it back to the Formula 1 grid in 2019, even if he wants to.
In 2022, Vettel decided to give from racing in order to spend as much time as possible with his wife and young children, despite the difficulties of a 24-race schedule. However, recent indications suggest that he may be more receptive to competing in Formula One.
“I do think about it and it does cross my thoughts… He stated last week that while there are ideas, they are not yet solid. He also mentioned that, though not expressly regarding Mercedes’ driver vacancy for 2025, he had spoken with Toto Wolff.
Due to Sergio Perez’s contract expiring at the conclusion of the year, Red Bull will also need to decide on a driver. Vettel’s comeback, however, is “not an option,” according to consultant Helmut Marko, who has substantial influence over the team’s driver choices.
Fernando Alonso will have an uneasy reunion in Formula One while the Aston Martin star has open discussions.
Christian Horner’s insightful analysis of the Red Bull seat battle between Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda
Mirror Sport is aware that Mercedes feels the same way. Although both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have openly backed Vettel’s joining the Silver Arrows, it is currently very improbable that the four-time Formula One champion will come out of retirement to take Hamilton’s spot as the team’s new opponent.
The driver lineups at Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin are complete through 2025 and beyond. This is especially the case at Aston Martin, where Fernando Alonso recently signed a new contract. Although Lance Stroll’s contract is set to expire at the end of this year, given that his father controls the team, a renewal is almost guaranteed for as long as Stroll desires to stay.
Vettel is therefore not allowed in any of the top five teams, and it is probably the same for the ones who are ranked lower. Fresh blood is anticipated to enter the driver market this year at the expense of some seasoned veterans, rather than the other way around.
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Oliver Bearman, a young Ferrari prodigy, will presumably replace at least one of Haas’ drivers, for instance. Right now, Kevin Magnussen is the one facing elimination, but if Nico Hulkenberg steps down, things might be different.
Along with Carlos Sainz, the German is the goal of Audi’s latest Formula One initiative. However, if they would rather have a younger star in their lineup, like current Formula 2 standings leader Zane Maloney, who is already signed with Sauber, they might bring in one or the other.
Williams will probably replace Logan Sargeant unless he shows significant improvement, and they are also considering Sainz. For Red Bull’s sibling team RB, Liam Lawson is the next in line, and in the event that Esteban Ocon or Pierre Gasly decide they’ve had enough of the team’s losing streak, Alpine has a number of young drivers to pick from.
