The motorsport world has been abuzz with speculation about Sebastian Vettel’s potential participation in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ever since the four-time Formula One World Champion tested Porsche’s hypercar in early 2024, rumours of his debut in endurance racing have been swirling.

However, according to exclusive information from Germany’s RTL TV Network, Vettel has made a final decision regarding the 93rd edition of Le Mans, scheduled for 11-14 June 2025.

Since retiring from Formula 1 at the end of 2022, Sebastian Vettel has embraced a multi-faceted life beyond the high-speed world of Grand Prix racing. While many expected the four-time world champion to remain deeply involved in motorsport, Vettel has taken a more selective and purposeful approach to his post-F1 career.

 

 

Vettel’s projects post F1

Splitting his time between family, sustainability advocacy and occasional racing appearances, the German driver has focused on projects that align with his passion for environmental awareness and social impact. From launching ‘green initiatives’ within motorsport to mentoring young drivers such as Mick Schumacher, Vettel has maintained a presence in the world of racing without committing to full-time competition.

Although he has explored opportunities in endurance racing – most notably testing a Porsche hypercar in 2024, he continues to prioritise his personal and environmental ambitions over a full-scale motorsport comeback.

Hamilton exploding tyres in Qatar now ruled as Mercedes’ fault by Pirelli

 

 

 

Decision made for Le Mans 2025

Despite months of speculation, Vettel has decided not to compete at Le Mans in 2025. Instead, he will focus on his family and sustainability projects, postponing his possible return to the legendary endurance race.

However, the German racing icon will still make an appearance at the event – as a guest. His visit will be to gain an insight and evaluate a possible entry in 2026, while also supporting his friend Mick Schumacher, who will be racing for Alpine’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) team.

HUGE Russell smash forces Melbourne circuit changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

A calculated decision: Vettel puts family and sustainability first

Since retiring from Formula 1 at the end of 2022, Vettel has been selective about his professional commitments. While the idea of competing in Le Mans remains on his radar, he has also invested in personal and environmental causes.

Sources suggest that his decision not to race in 2025 is largely due to a desire to ‘spend more time with his family’. The German driver, who has always been known for his deeply private nature, has made it clear that family life remains his top priority post-F1. His decision is also in line with his increasing involvement in ‘sustainability initiatives’, which have become a major focus since he left Formula 1.

In recent years, Vettel has been active in promoting ‘green solutions in motorsport’, including ‘alternative fuels, sustainable racing technologies and climate change projects’.

His decision to delay a potential ‘Le Mans’ entry could be linked to his desire to see endurance racing make further progress in ‘sustainability efforts’ – something the WEC has been progressively working on with hybrid and hydrogen powered race cars.

FIA late change of mind infuriates Red Bull

 

 

 

Vettel’s previous hints about Le Mans participation

The ‘93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans’ would have been a golden opportunity for Vettel to make his mark in endurance racing, a category in which several former Formula 1 champions have enjoyed success, including Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

In an interview with RTL at the end of 2023, Vettel did not rule out a return to professional motorsport, saying that ‘Le Mans could be an option if the right opportunity arose’.

“In endurance racing, you can choose your missions relatively freely,” he said at the time, while stressing that if he were to take part, it would only be under the right circumstances.

“When I take part, I also have a certain basic ambition, and that also means a certain time commitment”.

Given the rigorous preparation required for a competitive Le Mans entry, 2025 would have required an intense commitment – something Vettel seems unwilling to invest in at the moment.

Ford no longer Red Bull ‘sponsor only’, now adding cutting edge manufacturing techniques

 

 

 

 

Hamilton exploding tyres in Qatar now ruled as Mercedes’ fault by Pirelli

 

 

 

Vettel to attend Le Mans as a guest to observe Mick Schumacher’s performance

Although Vettel will not be behind the wheel at Le Mans 2025, he will be present as an ‘observer and guest’, taking in the unique atmosphere of the world’s most famous endurance race. This visit is expected to help him decide whether to make a serious entry in ‘2026’.

One of the key storylines of ‘Le Mans 2025’ will be the participation of Mick Schumacher. The son of Michael Schumacher, Mick will be making his ‘debut with Alpine’s WEC team’, and Vettel’s presence at the event is likely to include ‘supporting and mentoring his long-time friend’.

Schumacher’s career has increasingly mirrored that of other former F1 drivers who have moved into endurance racing. Given Vettel’s close friendship with Mick and his admiration for ‘Le Mans as a motorsport spectacle’, his presence at the event suggests he is keeping a close eye on developments within the ‘WEC’.

Ferrari boss: ‘2025 titles decided early season’

 

 

 

Perez F1 comeback

 

 

 

From Le Mans to Sydney: Vettel’s motorsport plans for 2025

Vettel may not be taking on the gruelling ‘24 Hours of Le Mans’, but he is not retiring from competitive racing altogether. In March 2025, fans will see him compete in the ‘Race of Champions (ROC)’ at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

The ‘ROC’, a unique motorsport event that brings together champions from different racing disciplines, will see Vettel compete alongside ‘Mick Schumacher’ as part of the German “super team”. Vettel has previously thrived in this format, having won the ‘ROC Nations Cup’ several times in the past alongside Michael Schumacher. His return to the event will provide a rare opportunity to see him in a competitive environment.

The Race of Champions is very different from an endurance race like Le Mans. It is a short, high-intensity event that requires far less preparation and training than a WEC campaign. This means Vettel can enjoy the thrill of racing without the same level of long-term commitment required for a full endurance season.

South African GP: Fantasy or reality?

 

 

 

What comes next for Vettel?

Vettel’s decision to skip Le Mans 2025 does not necessarily mean that his endurance racing ambitions are over. In fact, his planned ‘visit to Le Mans as a guest’ suggests that he is still keeping the door open for ‘2026’.

Given his methodical approach to career decisions, it would not be surprising if Vettel takes ‘next year to analyse his options, evaluate team opportunities and determine whether endurance racing is in line with his personal and professional goals’.

Should he ultimately decide to compete in Le Mans’, he will follow in the footsteps of ‘several former F1 drivers’ who have successfully made the transition to the WEC, such as Fernando Alonso, Kamui Kobayashi and Jenson Button.

The lure of ‘Le Mans’ – one of the world’s greatest motorsport challenges – remains strong and Vettel’s long-term ambitions could see him return to the grid in the future.

For now, however, Vettel’s focus remains on his ‘family, sustainability projects and selected race appearances’ – with Le Mans a possibility down the road.

READ MORE – Perez F1 comeback?

 

 

 

 

MORE F1 NEWS – Newey’s ridiculous claim about FIA cost cap

Adrian Newey may well be considered to be the all time great in terms of Formula One car design, yet the F1 genius now proves his breadth of skills are limited as he criticises the FIA cost cap which has brought the field closer than its ever been in F1 history.

On a number of occasions last season in qualifying one all twenty cars were within a second of each other. As a random sample this writer selected the Australian Grand Prix from 2010 to compare the Q1 results to the modern era and it revealed that Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole position whilst the 20th placed driver in the session was a whopping was a tenth for being SIX whole seconds slower than the German in the Red Bull car.

Given this was the year when there were three new – but badly underfunded F1 teams – let’s select the same event but ten years ago in 2016. Lewis Hamilton was the pole sitter, and the gap to P20 remained over four seconds.