Vettel considering 2024 racing return after F1 appearance at Japanese GP

25 September 2023 , 19:48

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Sebastian Vettel (Image: Getty Images)

Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is considering a racing comeback next year, having retired from Formula One in 2022.

Vettel was back in the paddock for the Japanese Grand Prix to promote his new bio-diversity project 'Buzzin' Corner'. And while in Suzuka, Vettel was asked about the prospect of him making a return to motorsport.

According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, the 36-year-old has spoken to Jota Sport about a potential return. "So far nothing has been signed or decided, but I have the matter in the back of my mind," Vettel said when quizzed by the publication.

"I still have time to decide. If at some point I should come to the conclusion that it won't work without racing, then I'll drive again." The report adds that Vettel could be involved in a test for Jota in an LMP2 car as soon as early October.

Jota currently have teams competing in the World Endurance Championship and are said to have also held talks with fellow former F1 drivers Jenson Button and Robert Kubica. Vettel has repeatedly stated he would never rule out the potential of a return to motorsport, admitting in Suzuka that he did not want to come off as a hypocrite.

Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"

"I'm not thinking about it too much, to be honest," he told Channel 4 when asked about an F1 return. "That's not a no, but how could you rule it out?

"I mean, I can say 'no' now but then in a year, I'm watching the race and I’m starting to panic – might happen, I don't know. Then what? You know, then I was like, 'Oh, but a year ago, you said no [to coming back]', so I think it's safer to say, you never know.

Vettel could return to racing, having retired from Formula One last year (Robert Szaniszló/Getty Images)

"But yeah, I mean it's a big commitment. Obviously, I stopped for plenty of reasons. I love the time at home that I've got with the family.

"There's other things in my head that do concern me and worry me, but also make me sort of optimistic when I see what other people are setting up, how they’re dedicating their times, their lives to a certain purpose.

"At the moment, one bubble is getting smaller and a lot of doors or things open up. It might be that at some point, it could be a good thing to think of jumping back into the bubble. I don't know."

Matthew Cooper