The speculation surrounding the potential return of Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has sparked excitement. Ralf Schumacher, in an interview with Sky Deutschland, suggested that Vettel may be considering a comeback to the sport. Despite his brother Fabian dismissing these rumors, Schumacher’s remarks have reignited speculation. Schumacher disclosed that he had heard that Vettel wants to get behind the wheel again, possibly influenced by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. This speculation arises as Mercedes evaluates its options for a new partner to George Russell starting in 2025.
Schumacher also weighed in on the challenge that Russell might face in filling Hamilton’s shoes, particularly from a marketing perspective. He floated the idea of Vettel as a compelling choice for Mercedes due to his German heritage. Schumacher remarked that it might be too much for Russell to match Hamilton’s worldwide marketing charisma or for Vettel to step in as a German driver at Mercedes. This highlights the significant stakes involved in finding the right replacement.
Lando Norris, another contender in discussions about Hamilton’s successor, recently extended his contract with McLaren. Despite the subsequent vacancy at Mercedes, Norris expressed no regrets over his decision and his confidence in McLaren’s future. Fernando Alonso, currently with Aston Martin, is also closely monitoring the situation at Mercedes. Alonso is aware of the potential opportunity to join the team in 2025 and is patiently waiting for a top seat in the upcoming seasons.
However, Schumacher expressed doubt about Mercedes’ prospects based on their pre-season testing performance. His reservations about Mercedes’ ability to deliver a championship-contending car might shed light on Hamilton’s decision to switch to Ferrari after receiving an offer from Fred Vasseur. Schumacher observed that he is a bit disappointed with Mercedes so far, hinting at potential reasons behind Hamilton’s move and the challenges the team faces in retaining and attracting top driving talent.