Tests with Porsche, discussions with Mercedes… What is Sebastian Vettel playing?

We've never talked so much about Sebastian Vettel since his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, contested with Aston Martin. Even if rumors had flourished in the paddock of WEC last year about a possible arrival of the German at Hertz Team JOTA for this 2024 season, this did not go beyond the rumor stage.

For two weeks however, the quadruple F1 world champion with Red Bull (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) has never been closer to a return to motorsport. Last week, Porsche openly communicated about the test he carried out with the German manufacturer on the MotorLand Aragon track in Spain, in the company of the official drivers of the Stuttgart firm in the WEC, just a few weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 15-16).

Vettel on his test with Porsche: “I was curious”

« I was curious, he declared in an interview with the English media Sky Sports. I wanted to see how we felt. It’s obviously a different discipline. It's still racing, but it's different cars, different disciplines. »

Asked if this test could encourage him to return to competition, Sebastian Vettel answered in the affirmative, but more than a return to competition, it is to return to the motorsport environment which seems to itch the old one Ferrari. " There are a lot of things that excite me, a lot of different things, not necessarily behind the wheel, but also outside of the car and outside of racing. »

Still with Sky Sports, the 36-year-old revealed he had discussions with Toto wolff, main team of Mercedes in F1. With the aim of taking the seat left vacant by Lewis Hamilton at the end of the year, when the seven-time world champion announced his departure to Ferrari? “ I had conversations with him, not really about the seat. We talked about the whole general situation “, however, nuances the German. If it is not to take over from his former rival for the world crown, could he join the staff of the Austrian boss who has just lost his right arm, the Belgian Jérôme D'Ambrosio, a year after his arrival?

ALSO READ > Jérôme D’Ambrosio will leave Mercedes… to bounce back at Ferrari?

« I have certain ideas, events that I am planning for the future, adds the person concerned. So I talked to a lot of other team principals, but not just about racing. »

Interest in the Mercedes seat in F1?

However, he does not close the door to a return to the F1 grid. “ To think about it seriously, it would depend a lot on the packagee, he said. Age-wise, I feel pretty darn young with all the guys who have been here longer than me and signing big contracts. Looks like I could do another 10 years in this sport! I'm definitely ahead of them in terms of staying in shape »

Although Mercedes has been losing momentum since the 2021 Constructors' title (two poles, one victory over the 2022 and 2023 seasons), the future free seat on the firm's side at the Star is undoubtedly the most coveted of Grid.

« It is certain that Mercedes is one of the best seats », admits Vettel himself. “ So I stay in touch. I don't know. It will take a few more phone calls and conversations, I suppose, to find out a little more. »

Perhaps also to decide what he really wants to do in the event of a return to motorsport which has never seemed so close for Vettel.

ALSO READ > Sebastian Vettel and Porsche, more than a test run for the 24 Hours of Le Mans?