Helmut Marko clarifies on recent comments over Sebastian Vettel joining Audi for F1 return
Helmut Marko reiterated his comments regarding Sebastian Vettel being interested in joining Audi's F1 project in 2026.
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Helmut Marko, Sebastian Vettel and Audi F1 Showcar (in Circle) (via IMAGO)
Audi will debut in F1 in 2026 with new regulations. The team has already announced Mattia Binotto as their project head and ex-Red Bull man Jonathan Wheatley as the team principal. As speculation arises about who will drive for them, Sebastian Vettel was rumored to drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg for the German manufacturing team. The German could be looking to return to F1 after he retired from the sport at the end of 2022.
Sebastian Vettel is very well known to Mattia Binotto and Red Bull’s Jonathan Wheatley from his Ferrari and Red Bull days. Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko had first confirmed the Germans return to F1 with Audi. However, he didn’t believe his words would be hyped so much in the media, Vettel had asked about free seats in the top teams. The four rings management being known to him it’s most likely he would consider them if he actually returns.
It is no secret that Sebastian has asked one or two top teams about free cockpits.Helmut Marko told F1-insider
Helmut Marko wanted to highlight the potential benefits of having a German driver for the German team. He emphasized that Vettel’s experience and popularity could greatly boost their performance and image in Germany. The 81-year-old also suggested Mick Schumacher as a potential driver for Audi. However, the media focused only on the possibility of Vettel’s return, believing it to be true because they considered Marko’s words reliable, and created hype around it.
While for Audi I spoke mainly about the positive impact a German driver would have and I also mentioned Mick Schumacher . Apparently this name has been forgotten by the press.Helmut Marko added
Helmut Marko breaks silence on possibility of Sebastian Vettel partnering up with Max Verstappen
After Helmut Marko’s recent comments confirming Sebastian Vettel’s return, speculation arose about which team he might join. Audi was the most talked option for the German driver. Another possibility involved replacing the 37-year-old with Sergio Perez. However, Marko firmly denied the possibility of pairing Vettel with Max Verstappen. He admitted he couldn’t do that to the four time world champion. Marko explained that having Vettel return to a team with Verstappen, a top driver might be unfair. He mentioned the 37-year-old’s past achievements and the current competitive environment as reasons for this.
Sebastian next to Max in the Red Bull? I didn't want to do that to him.Helmut Marko told Oe24
Even if Vettel returns to Formula 1 Marko would never pair him up with Verstappen due to the Dutchman’s stronghold within Red Bull. Fans hope the German’s news of coming back shall be true; they hope to see him back on track and competing for the title once again.
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Gaurang Kadam
(535 Articles Published)