Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko clarifies his statements about a potential return of Sebastian Vettel. According to Marko, his previous comments about the former Red Bull driver’s comeback were taken out of context. However, Marko reveals that the world champion also knocked on Red Bull’s door.
Rumors about Vettel’s possible return to the Formula 1 grid are increasingly circulating. Reportedly, Audi wants a fully German line-up, and the four-time world champion could therefore join Nico Hülkenberg. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that Vettel showed interest in a potential return.
“It’s no secret that Sebastian has inquired about free cockpits at a top team,” Marko admits. The Austrian’s earlier statements about Vettel’s return were taken out of context, according to Marko himself. “Regarding Audi, however, I was mainly talking about the positive effect of a German driver and also referred to Mick Schumacher. This name was apparently forgotten in the report.”
No Red Bull Reunion
Vettel retired at the end of 2022, but has since knocked on the doors of Red Bull and Mercedes. The German inquired about a potential return through these top teams, but neither Mercedes nor Red Bull welcomed the former world champion with open arms. “Sebastian has been away for two years,” Marko gives as a reason. “Hülkenberg has also been away longer, but he is not a four-time world champion, so he is hungrier. And to be honest: Sebastian next to Max in the Red Bull? I didn’t want to do that to him.”
