Ted Kravitz believes Sebastian Vettel could be preparing to make a "surprise comeback" to Formula 1 – but not as a driver.
The four-time world champion decided it was time to retire at the end of the 2022 season after a 15-year spell in F1. The legacy he left is a huge one given his achievements both on and off the track – in competition and in the way he used his platform for good causes.
Despite only just having left the sport, Sky Sports pit lane reporter Kravitz has suggested Vettel could make a return much sooner than anticipated. He said: "We may well see a surprise comeback of Sebastian Vettel this year, but it won't be as a driver. I truly believe he has decided not to drive anymore.
"And as a man of integrity, as I know he is, I don't think he is going to disappoint everybody by going, 'Ah, d'you know what, I wasn't sincere in that, here we go, I am coming back as a driver'. And everybody will go, 'Hang on, we said goodbye to you'."
Vettel is currently enjoying retirement with family and his only racing activity since leaving F1 was an appearance at the Race of Champions earlier this year – reuniting with friend, compatriot and mentee Mick Schumacher.
Kravitz thinks Vettel may find it difficult to keep his distance from F1 and can see the German coming back to work with one of his former employers. He added: "Possibly Audi, maybe, but I kind of think he will come back to Red Bull."
Audi are set to enter F1 in 2026, taking over the Sauber team which is currently branded as Alfa Romeo. A role with a huge German brand could be perfect for Vettel, but it remains to be seen whether there is interest in such a partnership from either side.
The four consecutive F1 championships won by Vettel in the early 2010s with Red Bull may mean a chance to return to his old team could prove difficult to resist. And Kravitz thinks he has spotted where such an opportunity may arise.
He said: "I think he will replace Helmut Marko, that is more likely. As the sort of motorsport adviser." Marko is a long-serving adviser to Red Bull but, since the death of his long-time friend Dietrich Mateschitz and the appointment of Oliver Mintzlaff as CEO, he has hinted that his days with the team might be numbered.
The 79-year-old recently revealed the relationship between himself and the Red Bull hierarchy is not as it was when co-founder Mateschitz was in charge. "It's no longer the case that I report by phone after every practice session and race," he said.
"The direct, personal and friendly relationship is no longer there. Didi was a visionary, had emotions. I don't see that anymore. I am a free person, I can stop at any time if I'm no longer happy – wait and see how the future turns out."
