Marko reveals Vettel has 'repeatedly enquired' about Red Bull F1 return

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has suggested Sebastian Vettel has approached the team on numerous occasions to discuss a return to the Formula 1 grid.

Vettel raced with Red Bull for several years, winning 38 races and four world championships with the Milton Keynes-based squad.

The German left Red Bull in 2015 and enjoyed stints at Ferrari and Aston Martin before opting to retire at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

Vettel recently stated that he is “not planning” to make a return to the grid anytime soon - however Marko suggested a the 36-year-old has reached out to seek opportunities at the current world champions.

"He has repeatedly enquired with us, but I don't think it would be pleasant for him to drive next to Max Verstappen,” Marko told Formule1.de.

Vettel recently took part in a test with Porsche, driving the 963 Hypercar - a route that Marko has backed his former colleague to succeed in.

“If I'm correctly informed, he seems to be moving towards Porsche and long-distance racing,” he said.

"I think that would be a very nice step for him.

Imola outing

Vettel's most recent venture in an F1 car came at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where he drove Ayrton Senna's 1993 McLaren car.

On the build-up to the race weekend, Vettel also organised a track run wearing Senna-inspired t-shirts, with other drivers and team members taking part.

When asked by RacingNews365 if he was teary-eyed after jumping out of the McLaren car, Vettel replied: "Yeah, definitely.

"It's difficult to put in words, I think it was one of the strongest emotions I felt behind the wheel despite being alone on track and not even racing.

"Incredible. When I got the flags out, it was so powerful. We had two very strong emotional moments on Thursday when we ran the track, and another one today.

"I'm happy that I had the courage to address my idea, come forward and invite the Senna family. And I only got positive feedback, it felt like the right thing to do.

“Ayrton is a driver who will be remembered, but we need to make sure we actively do so. 

“Especially that weekend when Roland [Ratzenberger] also lost his life. Two drivers, who in the end are sort of colleagues of mine but I never had the chance to meet them. It means so much more than just racing.”