Toto Wolff breaks silence on rumours around Sebastian Vettel un-retiring to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Sebastian Vettel retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season. However, the German driver has not ruled the possibility of making a comeback to the sport in the future.

Toto Wolff breaks silence on rumours around Sebastian Vettel un-retiring to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO).

Lewis Hamilton shocked the entire sporting world as the Briton decided to race for Ferrari from 2025. The seven-time world champion spent over a decade at Mercedes after joining the Silver Arrows in 2013. The Brackley-based team would need to sign a new driver to replace Hamilton once he leaves for Maranello. The retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel could’ve been an ideal candidate for this seat. However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has declined such a possibility.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport asked Wolff if Vettel could potentially replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025. The Austrian billionaire reckoned that this would not be the case. Toto Wolff mentioned that Sebastian Vettel wouldn’t be eager to race in F1 again since retiring from the sport at the end of the 2022 season.

I think he [Sebastian Vettel] made the decision to not race anymore. We are talking on a regular basis. We've also talked yesterday, but it wasn't about driving for us in the future.
Toto Wolff told Auto Motor und Sport
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Mick Schumacher is another driver who could fill in Hamilton’s shoes at Brackley. The former Haas driver is currently the reserve for Mercedes which could put him in prime position for such a move. However, it seems that Toto Wolff was hesitant to even consider this scenario. Schumacher will be racing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship this year.

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Can Sebastian Vettel come out of retirement to replace Lewis Hamilton?

Sebastian Vettel decided to end his career in F1 after the 2022 season. The German driver had admitted that he wanted to spend time with his family and see his children grow up. As such, the four-time world champion was no longer willing to continue racing. Moreover, the 36-year-old wanted to give opportunity to younger drivers by vacating his spot on the grid.

Sebastian Vettel waves to the crowd.
Sebastian Vettel waves to the crowd (image via IMAGO)

There have been rumors of Vettel’s potential return to racing. The German driver was in talks with Team Jota-Porsche to race at Le Mans in 2024. However, the discussions did not lead to anything concrete. However, the four-time world champion could be interested in returning to F1. Sebastian Vettel had admitted that he was open to racing in F1 again in the future.

Certainly, fans would be thrilled to have Vettel return to the pinnacle of motorsport. However, this remains an unlikely scenario. Mercedes would be looking to find a suitable replacement for Lewis Hamilton from the current roster of drivers. However, it remains to be seen who the Silver Arrows sign to fill the shoes of the seven-time world champion.

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