Sebastian Vettel back with Red Bull?
What if Sebastian Vettel were to make a comeback in F1? The rumor is growing and doesn't seem so crazy as Helmut Marko's contract expires in 2026. The former Red Bull driver could take his place.
At 82 years old, Helmut Marko might be tempted to retire in 2026, the year his contract with Red Bull expires. While holding a multi-task role, including leading the young driver development program, Helmut Marko is the man who discovered Vettel back in the day. The rest, as you know: 4 world championship titles with the Austrian team.
The driver has been retired since the end of the 2022 season but might well be tempted by this new role. There have been some big headlines recently. I’m still getting along very well with Helmut and we are in contact about this [succeeding him], reveals Sebastian Vettel to ORF, the main Austrian media outlet. The discussions are not yet as intensive or in-depth, but it’s perhaps something that could play a role.
The strategist, known for his outspoken nature and keen eye, may not be easy to replace, and Sebastian Vettel is aware of that. « He is irreplaceable. He has said several times that he would stop, but he is still here. I hope he will stay with us for a long time. But of course, at some point, things will inevitably evolve, and he knows it. He is a realist who can assess situations very well. He will know when the time has come. »
Questioned about this in a press conference on Thursday in Austria, Max Verstappen preferred not to comment too much, but still stated that Vettel would always be welcome. “He is someone who has achieved so much with Red Bull. Sebastian will always have his place.”
Helmut Marko, for his part, had the opportunity a few months ago to present Vettel as his ideal successor. Now we just have to wait until the end of 2026 to see if he accepts the offer.
