Formula 1
Vettel was "never really close" to Red Bull F1 return after Ferrari exit
Sebastian Vettel says he was “never really close” to returning to Red Bull despite a “brief chat” with its Formula 1 bosses after learning of his Ferrari exit in 2020.
Luke Smith Christian Nimmervoll
Edited: Sep 26, 2022, 2:36 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Vettel won all four of his world titles during his six-season stint at Red Bull between 2009 and 2014 before joining Ferrari for 2015.
Ferrari opted against renewing Vettel’s contract when it expired at the end of the 2020 season, paving the way for the German driver to switch to Aston Martin for the following year.
Vettel was linked with a potential return to Red Bull and it was known he had spoken to its F1 advisor, Helmut Marko. But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner ruled it out as a viable option during the summer of 2020.
The team ultimately turned to Sergio Perez - who became a free agent when Aston Martin decided to sign Vettel – when it opted to replace Alex Albon at the end of the 2020 season.
Vettel was asked by Motorsport.com at Monza about the seriousness of talks with Red Bull following his Ferrari exit, but he said it was never a firm prospect.
“I made the decision to join Aston Martin before I think it was really in discussion that Alex is going to leave,” said Vettel.
“So it was never really close. But of course, I know, Christian, I know Helmut. So for sure, I had a brief chat with them, but never really anything serious.
“And I also knew that if it was, if it would have been an option or serious, we would have at least talked about it. But it never came to that point.
“So obviously, a couple of months later, you could look back and say what if, and so on. But I'm happy with the choice I made.”
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H
Photo by: Erik Junius
Vettel will retire from F1 at the end of the season, leaving Aston Martin after two years that have seen him score its best result since rebranding for 2021 with second place in Azerbaijan last year. 2022 has proven more difficult for Aston Martin, but Vettel said there were no regrets about his decision to join the team.
“We expected that we will be more competitive last year and this year, but we were not,” said Vettel.
“I’m very happy with the way the team has progressed and [how] we are working together. So obviously it's not the dream coming true, racing in the positions we are racing, but it's been a challenge.
“I think I've accepted it and tried to make the most of it.”
Read Also:
- Does Tsunoda have what it takes to lead AlphaTauri if Gasly leaves?
- FIA formally rejects Herta's F1 superlicence request
- Aston: No change in F1 "ultimate professional" Vettel
Vettel has not yet confirmed any post-F1 plans besides appearing in the Race of Champions in January, and said he was currently “not considering anything” that would retain any ties to the F1 paddock, such as a non-driving role.
“Time will tell what will be something that is possible to do, if there is an offer of any such nature or not,” he said.
“Then I will see how I feel. At the moment, I’m quite happy to spend more time on other things and look forward to seeing the kids more and stuff like that.
“Then time will tell whether I get bored within three months or three years. I don't know. So we will see.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes F1 trucks biofuel trial reduces CO2 emissions by 89%
Next article Ocon: 2022 F1 cars like ‘go karts on kerbs’ in Singapore
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1 Jul 22, 2025
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 19, 2023
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1 Feb 18, 2023
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Sebastian Vettel
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC 15 d
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
Formula 1 15 d
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
More from
Red Bull Racing
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
Formula 1 16 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Latest news
McLaren to upgrade MCL40 car at its bogey F1 track Las Vegas
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
32 min
McLaren to upgrade MCL40 car at its bogey F1 track Las Vegas
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
General
Misc General 5 h
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
11 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
12 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe