F1 | Hamilton: “It would be fantastic to see Vettel in Mercedes”

The 2024 season undoubtedly began with many surprises, not so much for the values ​​on the track, but for what happened off the track. Among the most important news is Lewis Hamilton's farewell to Mercedes at the end of the season, with the aim of starting a new adventure, the red one in Ferrari.

Since the British champion's move to the Maranello team in 2025 was made official, naturally the totonome has started to understand that he will occupy the seat vacated by Hamilton starting from next season. When it happened in Red Bull following the Horner case it shook the environment, opening the door to a situation of instability that could have pushed Max Verstappen in the direction of Mercedes.

The Dutchman also reiterated in Japan his intention to remain in Red Bull for the foreseeable future, but it is clear that, as explained in Saudi Arabia, there must be the right elements to continue the collaborative relationship. For the moment the waters seem to have calmed down, at least apparently, fueling doubts about who will be the driver who will replace Hamilton in the Brackley team.

It is no mystery that among the names on the list there is also the protégé of the Mercedes Academy, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who this year is facing his first season in Formula 2 after skipping Formula 3. However, the Italian does not he is the only one competing for that seat, because in the background there are also the names of Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and, further in the background, Sebastian Vettel. In the latest interviews, the German has not hidden his desire to feel that feeling of speed and competition that only motorsport can offer, even though he had initially decided to put an end to his career at the end of 2022.

A few weeks Vettel took part in a WEC test to evaluate his possible commitment in the Endurance World Championship and it is no mystery that, since the beginning of the year, he has remained in contact with Toto Wolff to update himself on the Mercedes situation. Furthermore, the four-time world champion has many projects in mind to carry out with Formula 1, such as the one linked to bees promoted last year in Suzuka.

On the eve of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton explained that he would be enthusiastic about Vettel's possible return to F1, adding that it would be an “extraordinary option” for Mercedes, which would sign a talented driver with great human value .

“I would like Seb to come back. I think he would be an extraordinary option for the team. A German rider, a multiple winner who has four world titles, someone who has extraordinary values ​​and who will continue to take this team forward. I would be very happy if he came back.” .

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG Sebastian Vettel

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Hamilton still has at least two more seasons in sight with Ferrari before a possible retirement, but his idea is that, when the time comes to say enough is enough, at that point it will be a final farewell to F1. “I never thought about taking a year or two off and then coming back [come farebbe Vettel]. When I leave, the idea is to leave forever.”

“Clearly it will be a world that will always be missed. It's the greatest sport in the world and it's the greatest experience in the world. It's an incredible feeling to work with a group of people to win and achieve something. There's probably nothing that can give back those sensations. I haven't asked any of the riders what they're missing. I can only imagine,” added the seven-time world champion.

Whoever will have a new teammate at Mercedes next year will be George Russell. After facing the Hamilton challenge, another teammate will be waiting for the young Briton. Regarding Vettel's possible return, Russell clearly feels ready to welcome a new rival, given that in the past he has explained that he is ready to face and beat anyone, including the reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

“Sebastian is a great person. He is a four-time world champion and definitely his personality is missing on the starting grid. I think it is important to have the best 20 riders in the world competing to win races and championships. I am really happy and open to having anyone as a teammate, whether it's a world champion, whether it's a rookie – it doesn't change the way I work. We'll welcome anyone.”