Sebastian Vettel responds to WRC rumours ahead of first race since F1 retirement
Sebastian Vettel admitted it would be "a huge challenge" to pursue a career in top-level rallying after his Formula 1 retirement.
The German called time on his F1 career at the end of last season. He left an incredibly legacy, not only his 53 race wins and four world championships, but also the way in which he used his global platform to highlight climate change and campaign for social justice.
Given his popularity, fans were gutted to see Vettel leave F1. But they will have the chance to watch him in racing action this weekend, as he once again takes part in the Race of Champions.
The annual event, which returns to a snow and ice track in northern Sweden for a second year, sees drivers from many different motorsport disciplines all compete on the same track and in equal machinery to determine who is the overall 'Champion of Champions'.
Vettel performed admirably last year, faring better than many drivers with much more off-road experience to finish as runner-up behind Sebastien Loeb. That, plus his personal enjoyment of rallying, has led to speculation that he might consider competing in the World Rally Championship.
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
At a press conference on Friday, the 35-year-old was asked about that prospect. While he didn't rule it out, Vettel made a point of speaking about how difficult it would be for him to adapt to a much different motorsport compared to F1.
Vettel and Schumacher will team up again for the Race of Champions 2023 (Getty Images)"I have a huge admiration for rally drivers, I think it's an incredible skill," he said. "This is a tiny glimpse of what it might feel like to do a rally, but it feels like I arrive with a screwdriver and a hammer – two tools – whereas they arrive with the whole toolbox. Whatever might happen, they have the right-fitting tool.
"It's a great sport. There's the racing element and the skill, but it's many different [to F1] in many ways. I think the drivers are great and I don't think they get the limelight they deserve. Rally is popular in the Nordic countries but deserves to be very popular around the world because the skill is incredible.
"The discipline as well – it's very different as a sport. So, I don't know. I think it would be a lot of work, but maybe something that, after a while, if it starts to itch... It would be very different, a huge challenge.
"I always follow it closely – not the sector split, but the rallies and the stages. There have been a lot of young kids coming up. I remember the days when Petter [Solberg] was winning and competing. It's not like I grew up with rallying, but I've always admired that people are so fast without kerbs and track limits."
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