In 2023, Helmut Marko was asked if he approved of Sebastian Vettel returning to Red Bull and replacing him as their team advisor. “Theoretically (yes)”, he said. But in 2024, the storyline has completely changed. Vettel is now rumored to be looking for an F1 seat for 2025 with the driver market wide open. But even before talks begin, Marko has shut the doors on a possible Red Bull return. And this comes only a few days after Lewis Hamilton approved of the 4-time champion replacing him at Mercedes.

“I would love for Seb to come back,” Hamilton said ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. “He would be an amazing option for the team (Mercedes). A German driver, a multi-world championship-winning driver, and someone who has got amazing values and continues to take this team forward.”

Moreover, Vettel would be a like-for-like replacement for Hamilton, along with Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso – all World Champions. Since Verstappen is not interested in driving for Toto Wolff, Vettel’s chances look better. However, Mercedes’ arch-rival Red Bull also has a free seat (Sergio Perez’s) for contention. This could lead the 4-time champion to have a 10-year reunion with RB on his radar, apart from exploring a new opportunity with Toto Wolff.

However, that option may no longer be available to him. In an interview with Oe24, Helmut Marko has firmly rejected any chance of Vettel returning to Red Bull. “What?” Marko exclaimed when asked about the potential reunion. “Vettel should come to us? No, that’s not an option.“

With Red Bull out of the picture, Vettel is only left with Mercedes for a potential F1 return. And the chances of him joining the Silver Arrows over other teams are the highest.

Sebastian Vettel has Toto Wolff and George Russell’s approval for the Mercedes seat

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, along with Lewis Hamilton, teammate George Russell too approved of having Sebastian Vettel in Mercedes. “His personality is missed,” said Russell. As if that wasn’t enough for the rumor mill to start churning, Toto Wolff weighed in as well.

“With Seb, I have a friendship that goes back a long time, and we are talking about everything,” Wolff told Sky Sports. The Austrian also said that he “can never discount” considering Vettel as a candidate for the vacant 2025 Mercedes seat.

If Vettel officially steps into the volatile driver market, he would be going head-to-head against Carlos Sainz, who is proving his caliber to all Team Principals on the grid. An uphill task awaits Vettel if he jumps back into F1 for a shot at his 5th championship.

Read More: “I Sent Him [Christian Horner] a Message”: Amid F1 Comeback Rumors, Sebastian Vettel Reveals His Correspondence With Controversial Red Bull Boss