Sebastian Vettel hinted at returning to Formula 1 as a reserve driver at a future Japanese Grand Prix. This summer the German announced he will retire from the sport at the end of the current season.
He will hang up his helmet having won 53 races, secured 122 podiums and four world championships during a dominant period with Red Bull. The 35-year-old will contest his final Japanese Grand Prix this weekend at Sazuka, a track where he has claimed five pole positions and four victories, without doubt one of his happiest hunting grounds.
In fact, in 2011, Vettel won his second world title at the circuit and it holds such a special place in his heart, he would consider being a reserve driver at one-off race there in the future. “Maybe one of [the F1 drivers] in the future will feel sick – I don’t wish for them to feel so - but I wouldn’t mind jumping back in for a race at Suzuka at any time,” the Aston Martin driver told the official F1 website.
“We’ll see what the future brings – at the moment I have no plans. If anybody is happy to sign up a driver for a single race, it’s something I’d seriously consider!” He added: “I don’t know, never say never. I mean it’s a great track for many reasons. Who knows what the future brings, I don’t know.
“Obviously I love driving and I think around this track I always felt alive and the passion… feels alive, so we’ll see what kind of car in the future will come up." Speaking ahead of Sunday’s race, Vettel was asked what he would miss about the iconic Japanese circuit.
“Well, I’ve always loved the track,” replied the motorsport icon. “I think it stands out as my favourite track on the calendar. From the very first year, this has been a special place. For me, just the layout of corners, the first sector, it’s iconic, it’s a figure-of-eight track, the only one we have. Plus, the atmosphere, the attention the sport gets when we come here is crazy so yeah, lots of very nice memories.
“I didn’t think at the other races – I know it will be my last time, but here it does feel a bit different somehow. I look forward to the sessions we have and the race on Sunday.”
It has been a hit and miss season for Vettel, who began the season missing the first two races through covid, but has managed seven top 10 finishes, including a P8 finish in Singapore.
He sits 12th in the driver’s standings with 24 points, nine ahead of teammate Lance Stroll. There are five races remaining in Vettel’s illustrious career and he will no doubt endeavour to finish on a high.
