“Everyone is a Ferrari fan. Even if they say they are not, they are Ferrari fans,” said Sebastian Vettel. The German, who won 4 titles with Red Bull from 2010-2013, decided to move ships at the end of 2014 and signed with Ferrari. Unable to achieve his dream of winning a championship with Ferrari, he was spotted delivering a verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s shock Ferrari move, as the 7X will drive for the Scuderia in 2025 in hopes of winning the mythical 8th title.
Earlier this year, before the start of the season, Lewis Hamilton announced that he would be leaving Mercedes, the team with which he won 6 titles, and moving to Ferrari. It is arguably one of the biggest moves in the history of Formula 1. And now, Sebastian Vettel, who himself is rumored to make a comeback to F1 after Hamilton’s move has completely shifted the driver market, was asked about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, despite having a year left on his Mercedes contract.
"Without Mercedes, Lewis' career would be very different" 💬
Sebastian Vettel on Lewis Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari next season 🏎️ 🔴 pic.twitter.com/s65Erl0jHN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 3, 2024
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According to the clip of the interview uploaded by Sky Sports, Sebastian Vettel said, “It’s about the team everywhere you go. Obviously, you know each to their own, but I think it is a team sport. And someone like Lewis has said that over and over again. Thanking the team around him. I think without Mercedes, Lewis’ career would’ve been very different. Mine too. But that’s how it goes. No regrets. But time will tell. If he’s excited, that’s the main thing. Ultimately, it’s his decision and he took it for himself.”
Sebastian Vettel did cleverly, albeit in a jovial manner, suggest that his own career would’ve been very different without Mercedes. Notably, the German had come close to multiple championships with Ferrari but was denied by Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. However, at present, Mercedes might as well be the team that’ll bring Vettel back to F1.
Talking with Sky Sports News, Sebastian Vettel also revealed the possibility for him to make an F1 comeback, addressing the Mercedes rumors during his exchange with Toto Wolff.
“One of the best seats on the Grid”: Sebastian Vettel on the Vacant Mercedes seat
After Hamilton’s Ferrari announcement, rumors of Sebastian Vettel making a return with Mercedes gained traction, especially since his conversation with Toto Wolff. While Wolff admitted his contacts with Vettel, he claimed that it was not regarding the Mercedes seat. And now, Vettel has come out to speak on the same lines as Wolff. However, he did suggest that Wolff spoke to him about the situation at Mercedes, along with discussing the seat that Hamilton will vacate.
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in a candid take, Sebastian Vettel noted, “I’ve had conversations with him (Wolff), not really about the seat. We did speak about the whole situation in short as well,” adding, “So I am staying in touch. I don’t know. It has to be a couple more phone calls and conversations, I guess, to really find out a little bit more. But for sure it’s one of the best seats on the grid.”
“Performance wise, Mercedes has a great track record, struggling a little bit in the last years, but then struggle and you’re still second and third in the constructors’ (championship), it’s not like you’re racing in no man’s land,” he emphasized.
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Do you think Sebastian Vettel will be back in F1? After all, Fernando Alonso predicted that the German driver would be back soon. Will Mercedes really pursue Vettel to join the team or look for younger options like Carlos Sainz or Kimi Antonelli?