Sebastian Vettel won all four of his world titles during his six-season stint at Red Bull between 2009 and 2014, before joining Ferrari in 2015. The Italians opted not to renew the German’s contract when it expired back in late 2020, leaving clear way for him to join Aston Martin the following year.
After that, the four-time champion went through a desert in the lower half of the grid until announcing his retirement in the summer of 2022 , allowing the Silverstone team to gain the services of one of his rivals in the golden age of the German, Fernando Alonso .
Sebastian Vettel has been linked with a possible return to Red Bull, even reportedly having talks with team adviser Helmut Marko , but team manager Christian Horner ruled him out as a viable option in the summer of 2020.
Those from Milton Keynes turned to Sergio Pérez, who became a free agent after Racing Point confirmed the hiring of Vettel, and replaced Alexander Albon at the end of the course.
Asked by Motorsport.com if the deal to return to the energy drink team was serious after his departure from Ferrari, he said it was never a firm thing: “I made the decision to join Aston Martin before, according to I understand, they would have discussed the continuity of Alex [Albon]”.
“So he was never close,” he acknowledged. “Of course, I know Christian [Horner] and Helmut [Marko], so I was able to talk to them, but never anything serious. I also knew that if it had been an option, we would have at least talked about it, but it never got to that point. “.
“A couple of months later, you could look back and say what would have happened if I was with them, but I’m happy with the decision I made,” said the German driver.
Vettel will leave Formula 1 at the end of the season, leaving his seat at Aston Martin to Fernando Alonso, having garnered the team’s best result since its name change, when he finished second at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. course has been much more complicated, but the four-time champion does not regret having signed with Silverstone.
“We expected to be more competitive these last two years, but it was not like that,” he explained. “I’m very happy with the way the team has progressed and [how] we’re working together, so it’s not a dream come true, obviously, to compete in the positions we’re in, but it’s been a challenge.”
“I think I have accepted it, and I have tried to get the most out of it,” said a Sebastian Vettel who has not yet confirmed any plans beyond Formula 1, except for the Race of Champions to be held in January.
The German also indicated that “he is not considering anything” that would keep him attached to the Great Circus paddock: “Time will tell what can be done, if there is an offer of that nature or not, then I will see how I feel. At the moment, I’m quite happy to spend more hours on other things, and to see more of the children.
“Then, I’ll be able to see if I get bored in three months or three years. I don’t know, so we’ll see,” said the four-time world champion in the highest category of motorsport.
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