Comeback in F1?

Hamilton: Vettel? “That would be fantastic!”

Record Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton would be delighted to have Sebastian Vettel as his successor at Mercedes. "It would be fantastic if he came back. He would be a great fit for the team," said the 39-year-old Briton on Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. 

Vettel has "strong values" and would definitely be an asset to Mercedes, and he is also German, said the seven-time world champion.

Hamilton is leaving the Silver Arrows after this season and moving to Ferrari. His current team-mate George Russell would also welcome Vettel at Mercedes. "Sebastian is a great person and a four-time world champion. His personality is missed here in the driver line-up," said the Briton. In principle, however, the 26-year-old can imagine having many drivers at his side next year: "As I've already said, I'm very open to having anyone as my team-mate. Whether world champion or rookie, that doesn't change anything for me."

Lewis Hamilton (left) and George Russell(Bild: APA/AFP/Nelson ALMEIDA)

The list of possible successors to Hamilton at the German works team is long and ranges from world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) to former champion Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and super talent Kimi Antonelli (Formula 2) to Vettel. The 36-year-old German retired at the end of 2022, but recently no longer ruled out a return to the cockpit.

Vettel: "One of the best cockpits"
"We need to have a few conversations and make a few phone calls to find out more. But it's certainly one of the best cockpits on the grid," Vettel said on Wednesday on Sky News in the UK about a chance at Mercedes. There had been talks with team boss Toto Wolff recently, but allegedly not about a commitment next year.