Mercedes trio talk about Sebastian Vettel and the potential of his F1 return if at all with the German team to replace Lewis Hamilton.
Until and unless Mercedes announce their line-up for 2025 F1 season, the link-ups and rumours will continue at every grand prix weekend. It is likely for Toto Wolff, George Russell and Hamilton to receive questions in different ways.
After Vettel gave an interview to Sky News where he noted about talking to Wolff, not necessarily about F1 but in general about other things, it was inevitable for media to question the Mercedes trio during this weekend’s Japanese GP.
Vettel is always a good name to put on the list, even though the chances are slim for the German to be part of the F1 team in 2025. All the three were cool about the prospects, with Hamilton adding on his thoughts regarding sabbatical and return scene.
“I’ve never thought about taking a year or two off and then coming back [per Vettel],” said Hamilton to media. “When I’m gone, I’m hopefully gone for good. You are always going to miss it. It’s the greatest sport in the world and it’s the greatest experience in world. It’s the most amazing feeling to be working with a group of people towards winning something, achieving something.
“There’s probably nothing that’s ever going to feel the same. I’ve not asked any of the drivers what they’re missing. I can just imagine. But I would love for Seb to come back. I think it would be an amazing option for the team: German driver, a multi-world championship-winning driver, someone who’s got amazing values, will continue to take this team forward. I’d love if he came back.”
Regarding his potential replacement, Hamilton added: “I think the only thing I really care about is that the team takes on someone with integrity and values that are aligned with the team, where the team is going. Someone with compassion that’s able to work with all these great people, continue to lift them up.
“As drivers there are some that are more selfish than others, there are some that are good drivers but perhaps not the best within team environments. I don’t know because I’ve not been in with all of them. They’ve already got George and he’s perfect for the team. I’m sure they’ve got so many options. I do think it’s always great to give an opportunity to an up-and-coming driver, so the idea of a youngster coming in I think, for me, is exciting.”
The driver who will have a new teammate, Russell continued. “I mean, Sebastian’s a great person and he’s a four-time world champion and for sure his personality is missed on the grid and I think it’s important that we have the best 20 drivers in the world all competing for race wins and championships,” he said.
“So, as I said before… I’m really happy and open to have anybody as my teammate, you know, whether it’s world champion, whether it’s a rookie, it doesn’t change how I go about my business. And yeah, as I said, we’ll welcome anybody.”
And Wolff added while hinting on an announcement about another driver in due course: “Sebastian is someone that you can never discount. I think his track record is phenomenal. And sometimes maybe taking a break is also good to re-evaluate what’s important for you and refine your motivation. As I said before, I think we haven’t taken the decision yet. And it’s not something that we plan to do in the next few weeks.
“I know that the driver market is very dynamic. Some of the really good guys are about to sign for some of the other teams. We want to continue to have these discussions and keep the options open. But at that stage, I think it’s much too early for us to commit to a driver, whether very young or whether very experienced – I don’t want to say old – very experienced, which the next few months will give us more clues.”
Here’s Toto Wolff on multiple topics
Here’s F1 drivers on penalty situation
Here’s Sebastian Vettel on talks with Toto Wolff
Here’s Toto Wolff on fundamental being wrong
Here’s Lewis Hamilton on being calm
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