Vettel says he would welcome Red Bull F1 reunion offer

F1

Sebastian Vettel is open to a return to Red Bull Racing, the team he won all four of his world titles with

Sebastian Vettel, 2020 Austrian GP

Could a return to Red Bull be on the cards for Sebastian Vettel?

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Sebastian Vettel says a return to Red Bull in 2021 would be a difficult proposition to turn down.

The four-time champion told media ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix that moving back to the team he won his four championships with was on his radar.

Vettel, who will leave Ferrari at the end of 2020, admitted that should an offer for a drive alongside Max Verstappen emerge for next season then he would not turn it down.

Currently, Alexander Albon holds the second Red Bull seat, though his current deal only runs to the end of the 2020 season, while Verstappen’s runs through to 2023.

“It’s a winning car… I’m here to compete, I’m here to win, so probably the answer would be yes,” Vettel said.

“I’m of the conviction that if you want to win you have to be happy to take on anyone so I don’t think it is question of your potential team mate no matter where you will find yourself.”

2020 Austrian GP, Alex Albon, Sebastian Vettel

Could Vettel take Alex Albon’s Red Bull seat next year?

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Despite Vettel’s impending availability and apparent interest in the move, both Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and head of its young driver programme Dr Helmut Marko have reiterated a move for the four-time champion is unlikely.

Earlier this week, Vettel appeared alongside both men on the Servus TV channel that is owned by Red Bull, but the German denied that his appearance was anything to do with a potential switch back to Red Bull.

“I obviously again know the team very very well from my past, of course I’m still in contact with a lot of people there, whether it is Christian, Helmut or others.

“The appearance in Servus TV had nothing to do with that or potential future but Red Bull has a winning car, I believe so, they are a very strong team, I know how strong they are from the past, I know they have evolved.

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“It is not fair to say I know the team inside out because it also has changed and moved on, but I know why they were strong back then and they are still I think a contender and it’s a car you can win races in so for sure that would be interesting.”

Vettel left Red Bull after an unsuccessful 2014 campaign having won four-straight world title doubles with the team. His switch to Ferrari has not panned out how he might have hoped, failing to add to his championship tally since arriving at Maranello in 2015.

As well as being open to the possibility of a return to Red Bull, Vettel admitted talks had taken place with Renault before the French team announced Fernando Alonso as its driver for 2021.

“I’ve been such a long time in the paddock that I knew a couple of people, yes I did [speak with Renault], but at no point [was it] concrete enough, not fundamental or real talks,” Vettel said.

Sebastian Vettel, 2013 Indian Grand Prix

Vettel earned all four of his titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013

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“As you’ve seen, they’ve gone a different direction, so yeah, it doesn’t change much for me. It really depends on my decisions which I’m not pressured to take in the next couple of days, I want to take the time I need to decide.”

The 33-year-old was also full of praise for Racing Point, who will transform into Aston Martin Racing next season.

Both Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll are under contract for beyond the end of 2020, but a blockbuster move would certainly signal the team’s intent upon its return to F1.

“I think Racing Point left a very strong impression, and certainly are in a good place for this year.

“I know part of the team, I know some members of the team quite well from my past and for a long time, so I think it’s obviously a good opportunity for them this year to have a good car to fight with and try and improve from there.”