12 February 2023 , 22:57
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Red Bull principal Christian Horner has thrown cold water on the possibility of Sebastian Vettel making a return to the constructor in a management role.
Vettel spent six seasons with Red Bull winning four world titles and was runner-up in another before making the switch to Ferrari in 2015.
Since retiring from F1 at Abu Dhabi the German driver has left his options open and recently addressed rumours of him switching codes to drive in the WRC. Red Bull team adviser Helmut Marko suggested in November that there could be a management role available with Vettel using his experience to find talented drivers.
"We have two teams, so we are open to that," said the Austrian when responding to a question about Vettel. Marko added with a chuckle: "His life will definitely be different from the one had had as a driver. He'd come to work earlier, leave later and receive only a small part of a pilot's salary."
However, Horner has now responded to that opportunity for Vettel and suggested that the terms of a Red Bull management opportunity wouldn't suit the German F1 star.
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
Red Bull team adviser Helmut Marko talks with Sebastian Vettel ahead of his retirement last year (Getty Images)Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport in Germany, Horner said: “I don’t think so. I can’t see Seb doing a nine to five job or moving to the UK, and I think there’s so many other things in his life that he wants to do and achieve with his family.
“He’s a little bit of a free spirit and he has many projects that he’s hugely passionate about, and I think there’s certain things in Formula 1, other than the driving, that obviously he felt conflicted about. So maybe to Formula 1 as an environmental advisor, that might be something, you know, that he can take and use his passion.
“But I think, in the day-to-day operation of a team, I’d be very surprised if he were to get involved in that.”
Sebastian Vettel could return as a replacement driver for F1 teams this year (Getty Images)Vettel could return to the F1 grid as a reserve driver with the 35-year-old suggesting prior to his retirement that he would be open to making a return for his favourite race the Japanese Grand Prix.
"Maybe one of [the F1 drivers] in the future will feel sick – I don't wish for them to feel so – but I wouldn't mind jumping back in for a race at Suzuka at any time," Vettel said in October.
Vettel spent his final two years on the grid at Aston Martin and their team principal Mike Krack was disappointed to see him retire - stating that the German still 'tasted blood' when things went well with his car.