Former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel revealed he is in talks with Red Bull for a possible return to the team after over a decade. While the role is expected to be a non-racing one, the team could benefit from his vast experience in the sport.
Vettel dominated the grid with Red Bull Racing. He won four consecutive World Championships between 2010 and 2013, helping the team get their first real taste of victory and domination. RBR suffered from powerless engines after the regulation changes in the 2014 season. Vettel moved to Scuderia Ferrari following this. Although he was the title contender many times with the team, he could not repeat his success with the Italian outfit. He then moved to Aston Martin in 2021, where he raced for two years before retiring at the end of the 2022 season.
However, he never fell apart from racing. He participated in several tests and also the Race of Champions earlier this year. More recently, he hinted towards a possible return to F1 with Red Bull, however, in a non-racing role. He told ORF that he is in contact with RBR team advisor Dr Helmut Marko regarding the same.
“There have been a few headlines now, I still get along very well with Helmut, and we are also in exchange on the subject,” Vettel said (via RacingNews365). “These are not yet so intense, and in-depth, but it may be something where I can play a role, but in what form, it will show.”
This could be a major signing for Red Bull Racing, considering the regulation changes next year. The team is going to be using different power units (manufactured by Red Bull under Ford’s supervision). Moreover, they won’t have Adrian Newey’s backing. This could put them in a difficult position in 2026.
Sebastian Vettel claims Helmut Marko is “not replaceable” at Red Bull Racing
Helmut Marko has been Red Bull’s core member since the team’s inception in the 2005 season. Serving as an advisor, he has played an important role in the team’s overall development and driver signing. He is also sometimes labeled as a ‘PR disaster,’ considering his straightforward approach and statements regarding drivers and their performances.
But he’s still a core part of the team. Sebastian Vettel claims that he remains irreplaceable within RBR. He also wished that Helmut would stay in the role for a long time in the future.
“Marko is not replaceable, let’s leave it at that, such as his character, and he has done a very large amount for the team since 2005, and it might not be the goal for someone to replace him,” Vettel added.
“He’s said a few times that he is going to stop, but he is still there, and I wish he would stay for a long time, but he will go at some point, and he knows it. He is a brutal realist and can judge things quite well, and he will know when the time is right,” he concluded.
This could perhaps be a hint from Vettel that he would not be joining the team in Marko’s replacement. If he rejoins Red Bull, that is.
