Sebastian Vettel: Four-time world champion teases Formula 1 comeback – 'I can’t exclude it'

Sebastian Vettel has refused to rule out a return to Formula 1 in the future if the right opportunity presents itself.

The German, who won four successive world championships with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, left the sport at the end of the 2022 season, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

Less than a year on, however, he has teased a comeback.

“I can't say no, because that you don't know," Vettel told Martin Brundle of Sky Sports, when asked if he might fancy a return to the grid like Fernando Alonso, Nigel Mansell and Kimi Raikkonen.

“I think it's something that if you asked all of them, probably some of them would have said 'no'. And some of them I don't know, but in the end all of them came back, so I can't exclude it."

At 36, Vettel is younger than Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, both of whom are still considered two of the best drivers on the grid.

However, having spent the latter part of his career in uncompetitive cars, he admits his potential comeback would “depend on the challenge”.

“It probably will depend much on when, and obviously it's not endless, because 36 is not like, 'Yeah in 10 years' time’,” Vettel added.

“Maybe I think about it then time has passed but it will depend on the challenge, but it's not in my head right now.

“I'm enjoying the sort of outlook of the challenge of what to do next. It will be the way I see it, the biggest challenge for any racing driver and the biggest challenge for any sportsman, sportswoman, what do you do after?

“Because naturally you will be like 30-35, 40-45, depending on your sport and discipline. And then what?

“There's a lot of life left and life can be great even though you're not racing, you know, the absolute limit in the fastest car in the world, but you can still do lots of great things that give you great pleasure.”

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