Sebastian Vettel confirms Red Bull talks over F1 return

Sebastian Vettel has confirmed that he has been in talks with Red Bull over a potential non-driving return to F1. 

The four-time world champion retired at the end of the 2022 season having won all of his titles with the team between 2010-2013.

In his latter years, Vettel became a fierce advocate for mental health, the environment, and human rights, and has been tipped as a potential successor to Dr Helmut Marko as the head of the Red Bull young driver programme - of which he was the first truly successful graduate.

Marko is 82, with Vettel still only 37, having retired at 35, and has been a presence in the paddock occasionally since. 

Talk of a driving comeback is now fully over, with Vettel addressing links to succeeding Marko.

"There have been a few headlines now, I still get along very well with Helmut, and we are also in exchange on the subject," Vettel told ORF.

"These are not yet so intense, and in-depth, but it may be something where I can play a role, but in what form, it will show. 

"But I have to admit that I haven't been close to F1 in the last few years, but I think Marko knows what he is doing - and no matter what happens, you can still learn a lot from him."

"Marko is not replaceable, let's leave it at that, such as his character, and he has done a very large amount for the team since 2005, and it might not be the goal for someone to replace him. 

"He's said a few times that he is going to stop, but he is still there, and I wish he would stay for a long time, but he will go at some point, and he knows it. 

"He is a brutal realist and can judge things quite well, and he will know when the time is right."

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