08 February 2024 , 12:35
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Sebastian Vettel has "stepped back" from his role as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association - but may still play a role in the organisation despite his Formula 1 exit.
The four-time world champion called time on his F1 racing career at the end of 2022. He had driven for Aston Martin for two years and also represented Ferrari, but enjoyed the bulk of his success as a Red Bull racer.
Despite spending last year off the grid, Vettel remained involved with the sport as a director of the GPDA. He has held the role since 2010 and has yet to relinquish it despite no longer racing in F1.
It is not a requirement of the role - of the four current directors, only George Russell is actively racing in F1. Chairman Alexander Wurz last took part in a Grand Prix in 2007, while lawyer Anastasia Fowle has never driven in the sport.
Speaking to PlanetF1, Wurz said Vettel is no longer as involved in the organisations activities as he once was. But the Austrian made it clear he would be delighted to see the 36-year-old continue in his role.
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
He said: "Sebastian has stepped back in his active director role, but he remains of course a key person in the GPDA and GPDA history. We are always happy when he joins our debates. The GPDA status foresees three directors. For most of the GPDA's history we had three directors and we are perfectly fine as we are.
"Given that every member has one vote and a director's vote is the same as a member's vote, having three or four directors has no influence over the outcome."
Given his status and popularity among fans, Vettel has unsurprisingly been linked with a sensational F1 return after the news that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes to join rivals Ferrari at the end of the season. Team principal Toto Wolff, however, has already dismissed that notion.
He said: "I think he made the decision to not race anymore. We are talking on a regular basis. We've also talked yesterday, but it wasn't about driving for us in the future."
And, regarding the process of replacing Hamilton, he added: "We have such a solid foundation and a quick and intelligent guy [Russell] in the car - we just need to make the right choice for the second seat. That's not something I want to rush into."