Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has hinted he could be enticed to make a Formula One comeback after revealing he has been in discussions with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.
Mercedes are on the hunt for a new driver for 2025 and beyond following Lewis Hamilton's announcement in February that he was departing for Ferrari after an 11-year stint with the Silver Arrows.
Vettel, who clinched his four drivers’ titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, departed F1 at the conclusion of the 2022 season after six years with Ferrari and two with Aston Martin.
However, the 36-year-old has now implied he might re-enter the sport after conversing with various team principals across the paddock.
“I am speaking to Toto. I don’t know if that qualifies as Mercedes, but about other things,” the German told Sky News.
“I’m talking to a lot of people because I know them, but not very specific. I mean obviously it does cross my mind, I do think about it, but it’s not the main thought.
“I have three kids at home, it’s busy every day, so there’s a lot of other thoughts I have. There’s ideas that I have.
“Events that I’m planning going forwards, so I did speak to a lot of other team principals as well, and not only about racing. There’s thoughts, but nothing concrete at the minute.”
A seat at a top team could help Vettel make a decision to return to the grid and he admits he was caught out by Hamilton’s decision to swap Mercedes for Ferrari after winning six world championships with the team.
“I was surprised, like I guess most of us were,” he said.
“But it is exciting. Obviously he’s looking for a new challenge and it will be different to see him in red, in a different colour.”
Meanwhile, Vettel has been testing a different kind of race car having spent time in the Porsche contender for the Le Mans 24 Hours.
“Maybe, I don’t know yet,” he replied when asked if he could make his first appearance in the famous endurance race this year.
“I’ve been testing. I was curious, so I wanted to see how it feels. It’s obviously a different discipline. It’s still racing, but it’s a different car, different discipline.
“I am (tempted) and I’m not. I am obviously also looking for lots of other things and there’s lots of other things that do interest me outside of racing.”