Toto Wolff on Sebastian Vettel talks as Mercedes eye Lewis Hamilton replacement

05 February 2024 , 07:24

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Sebastian Vettel is being tipped to replace Lewis Hamilton (Image: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Toto Wolff has revealed that he's in regular dialogue with ex-Formula 1 star Sebastian Vettel - but not about driving for Mercedes.

Vettel retired in 2022 and remains one of the sport's most successful drivers. The German is currently happy outside of the cockpit but after Lewis Hamilton 's shock decision to quit Mercedes at the end of 2024, when he'll join rivals Ferrari, fans have speculated that Vettel, 36, could make a sensational return to F1.

Mercedes team principal Wolff is currently in contact with the four-time world champion, although his latest comments haven't done much to fuel speculation. "I think he (Vettel) made the decision to not race anymore," Wolff told AMUS. "We are talking on a regular basis. We've also talked yesterday (last Thursday), but it wasn't about driving for us in the future."

The man himself hasn't ruled out a return, though, as Vettel could follow in the footsteps of former champions Nigel Mansell, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in making a U-turn and getting his hands back on the wheel. "I can't say no (to returning), because that you don't know," the 36-year-old admitted to Sky Sports in September.

"I think it's something that if you asked all of them, probably some of them would have said no. And some of them, I don't know, but in the end all of them came back, so I can't exclude it."

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

Some fans believe that Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, deserves to work alongside George Russell at Mercedes after impressing as a reserve driver. There could also be a straight swap between Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, whose deal with Ferrari expires at the end of this year. That's unlike teammate Charles Leclerc, who recently signed a new long-term contract.

Your turn! Who Mercedes recruit to replace Lewis Hamilton? Give us your pick in the comments section.

Sebastian Vettel retired from Formula 1 in 2022 (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sainz had been hoping to reach a fresh agreement this winter but he'll be racing for a different team in 2025 after Hamilton rocked the world of motorsport with his announcement. "Following today's news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024," the 29-year-old Spaniard, who's been heavily linked with becoming a driver for new team Audi in 2026, posted.

"We still have a long season ahead of us and, like always, I will give my absolute best for the team and for the Tifosi all around the world."

Nathan Ridley