Sebastian Vettel has this past week been eyeing a return to top level motorsport having tested in a Porsche WEC series hypercar. The former four times Formula One drivers’ champion retired from the sport last season and has since shown little interest in returning to competition until now.

Yet despite Vettel having tested a car capable of winning Le Mans, the speculation quickly returned to the German’s future F1 aspirations. With Hamilton leaving for Ferrari next year, there’s been reports Mercedes will look to sign an experienced driver on a short term deal, while they wait for junior star, Kimi Antonelli now in F2, to get the experience he needs before promoting him to F1.

 

 

 

Vettel confirms Wolff conversation

Sebastian confirmed he had spoken to the Mercedes team boss since the news broke: “I spoke to Toto Wolff on the phone…”, Vettel revealed but claimed the discussion was ‘in general’ and not related to any offer for him to join the Brackley based team

“We spoke on the phone, but not specifically about the fact that I could take the place, but rather that a lot is happening at Mercedes,” said the German. “I still have some plans for F1 this year,” Vettel mischievously hinted: “We’ll see if it works out…”

When pressed further on the notion of an F1 comeback, Sebastian was equally noncommittal: “Of course you think about it and flirt with it. But when I made the decision back then, I had several reasons for it.” 

Vettel concludes his litmus test of wanting to drive an F1 car again desperately has not been met for now, but the F1 legend does not rule anything out.

Ferrari ‘secret weapon’ revealed

 

 

 

Horner says Vettel/Webber relationship “divisive”

During his time at the world championship winning team Vettel racked up 38 of his career tally of 53 race wins and famously won the first race for the Red Bull brand in a Toro Rosso at the rain affected 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

On the whole during his tenure at Red Bull Racing, Sebastian’s relationship with Christian Horner was on the whole positive. He even survived criticism from his boss after disobeying team orders in Malaysia when told to remain behind his team mate Mark Webber.

The Red Bull team boss recently admitted the relationship between Webber and Vettel was “unhealthy” and stemmed from their collusion at the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix. “It was a dynamic that spilt over into the team in that it was unhealthy, it was divisive,” Horner told Bloomberg.

Later that season, Webber was forced to give a new front wing designed by there team to Vettel who had damaged his during the practice sessions at the British Grand Prix. The Australian coined the phrase a “number two driver” when asked about the switch something he would refer to when beating Vettel later in the Grand Prix with the old spec wing.

Red Bull decision made on Max Verstappen

 

 

 

Vettel admits no inside knowledge

“Fantastic. Not bad for a number two driver,” were the Australian’s pointed words to team boss Christian Horner over the radio following the chequered flag.

Sebastian Vettel has a unique perspective on the unusual dynamic at the top of the Red Bull Formula One team. Whilst Christian Horner is CEO and team principal, Dr. Helmut Marko has significant input into decisions such as driver lineups, even though he is employed by the remote Austrian parent company – and not the team.

When asked by Sky Sports Germany about his opinion of the saga which has engulfed his old racing family, Vettel admits he has no inside knowledge of what has happened or what the current state of affairs truly is.

“Of course, I still know the team, Christian [Horner] and Dr. Marko very well, also from my time there. But it is very difficult for me to have an opinion because you don’t know what happened and what didn’t happen,” said the German.

Max fuels RBR exit rumours in Dutch media 

 

 

 

Horner called on for “clarity” and “transparency”

“I think people would like a bit more transparency in this respect, but I hope with time this will all be clarified.”

In his later F1 years Sebastian had joined the progressive calls for change in the sport in a manner similar to Lewis Hamilton. The British driver too has called for “transparency” from Red Bull and derided the team for allegedly ‘firing’ the female employee who brought the original complaint.

“I believe that processes can become visible, provided people dare to take certain steps. I think from the principle that you have nothing to hide, you should not shy away from transparency,” continues Sebastian.

“This applies to sport in general. I think many viewers would be interested in this. But if the information were accessible, many questions could be answered on their own.”

Hamilton ‘hypocrisy’ questioned by fellow F1 driver

 

 

 

Female employee ups the anti

Of course the story at Red Bull has moved forward in recent days, with the suspended female employee appealing the decision by an independent KC to dismiss her complaint.

Further, having switched legal teams it appears she is taking a more aggressive approach to the issue having been reported to have filed a complaint also with the FIA. Other reports have now suggested if her appeal is also dismissed she will go public and seek a hearing with a UK employment tribunal, which may not be heard behind closed doors.

The calls from Hamilton, Zak Brown and now Sebastian Vettel for transparency together with a speedy conclusion unfortunately ignore the age old principal that someone is innocent until proven guilty. By releasing details of the ongoing investigation, Red Bull would be merely serving up more gossip and potential slander for all parties concerned.

Huge Haas F1 breakthrough

 

 

 

Decision expected in China

And to the matter of a speedy conclusion; no one is served properly by a curtailed process that’s aim is to merely ‘put the matter to bed.’

It is probable the appeal currently under way will be time limited and to that end may take a similar amount of time to the first eight week investigation, brought after the complaint was made. If this is the case, it will most likely be the weekend of the Chinese Grand Prix before Red Bull announce the conclusion of appeal they are considering.

Ferrari’s political decision “messed up” by Sainz

 

 

 

Insider: Wolff big deception in full swing

Could Toto Wolff actually be against Verstappen joining Mercedes? In Formula One, where every decision can make the difference between victory and defeat, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff’s recent public overtures to reigning world champion Max Verstappen have sent ripples through the paddock.

But is this a genuine attempt to secure the services of one of the sport’s brightest talents, or is there more to it than meets the eye? One former world champion has weighed in, suggesting it could all be an elaborate bluff… READ MORE