After Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, decided to join Ferrari at the end of the next season, Mercedes is searching for a new driver to take his place in 2025.
Toto Wolff has disclosed that he has regular conversations with Sebastian Vettel, the former Formula 1 star, but not about driving for Mercedes.
Even after retiring in 2022, Vettel is still among the most successful drivers in the business. Although the German is content right now outside of the driver’s seat, fans have theorized that Sebastian Vettel, 36, may make a spectacular comeback to Formula One following Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected decision to leave Mercedes at the end of 2024 and join rivals Ferrari.
The four-time world champion and Mercedes team principal Wolff are currently in communication, despite the fact that his most recent remarks haven’t added much to the rumors. Wolff told AMUS, “I think he (Vettel) made the decision to not race anymore.” “We have regular conversations. Additionally, we spoke yesterday, Thursday, but the topic wasn’t about driving going forward.”
Vettel hasn’t ruled out a comeback, though, as he might make a U-turn and get back behind the wheel, following in the footsteps of past winners Nigel Mansell, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Raikkonen. As you don’t know, I can’t say no to going back,” the 36-year-old acknowledged in a September interview with Sky Sports.
“I believe that some of them would have probably said no if you had asked them all.” I’m not sure about some of them, but in the end, they were all back, so I can’t rule it out.”
After making an impression as a reserve driver, some fans think that Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael, should be employed with George Russell at Mercedes. Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, whose contract with Ferrari expires at the end of this year, could also be switched out outright. Charles Leclerc, a teammate, recently inked a new long-term contract, in contrast.
Sainz was hoping to work out a new contract this winter, but after Hamilton’s announcement shocked the motorsport world, he will be competing for a different team in 2025. “In light of the recent developments, Scuderia Ferrari and I will be splitting up at the end of 2024,” the 29-year-old Spaniard, who has been strongly tipped to join Audi as a driver in 2026, wrote on social media.
We still have a long season ahead of us, but I promise to give it everything I’ve got for the team and the Tifosi everywhere.
