Vettel admits admiration for 'great challenge' of rallying

Sebastian Vettel believes rally drivers "don't get the credit they deserve" when discussing the prospect of driving rally cars.

The four-time F1 champion is currently competing in the Race of Champions alongside Mick Schumacher, and took Team Germany to the semi-final in the Nations' Cup.

It was Vettel's first contest since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which served as the finale to his F1 career.

Speaking ahead of the Race of Champions event, Vettel was asked if he had considered competing in rallying after his F1 departure.

"I have a huge admiration for rally drivers. I think it's incredible skill. Obviously, [the Race of Champions] is a tiny glimpse of what it might feel like to do a rally," Vettel responded, adding that he would feel underprepared to compete straight away.

"It feels like I arrived with a screwdriver and a hammer, like two tools, whereas they [professional rally drivers at the Race of Champions] arrived with the whole toolbox set, equipped with whatever might happen, and they have the right fitting tool.

"I think it's a great sport. It's there is the racing element and the skill, but it's very different in many ways."

Vettel continued to pay tribute to rally drivers, and suggested that rallying could be a consideration if he wants to return to motor racing.

"It's a great sport, it's a great skill, I think the drivers are great. They don't get the limelight they deserve," added Vettel.

"Obviously F1 is very popular, rallying is popular, but maybe more in the Nordic countries, but deserves to be very popular around the world, because the skill is incredible. The discipline as well is very different as a sport.

"So, I don't know, I think it would be a lot of work, but maybe [if the motorsport desire] starts to itch, it will be very different. It would be a huge challenge."