Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP
Hamilton predicts Vettel will make F1 comeback
Lewis Hamilton thinks Sebastian Vettel will one day make a comeback to Formula 1 after retiring following this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Filip Cleeren Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Nov 18, 2022, 5:50 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
In July Vettel announced he would call time on a glittering 15-year career with BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, which yielded four world championships and cemented his place as one of the series' all-time greats.
Vettel is looking forward to a change of pace and being able to spend more time with his family, but Hamilton thinks the 35-year-old will come back to the series at some point.
"I was just sitting here thinking most drivers are coming back, like he's coming back," Hamilton said before addressing Vettel directly in the Abu Dhabi Thursday press conference.
"You're probably going to come back. We're seeing other drivers coming back. So, I'm sitting here kind of accepting... yes, it's your last race but you'll be back.
"Formula 1 has a way of sucking you back in, we've noticed that from so many other drivers."
Vettel has kept his options open about competing in other categories but is keen to first take some time off away from motorsport.
"I think you naturally do look at other stuff, I don't know yet is the answer," he said.
"I quite look forward to the idea of nothing at first and then see what it does to me. There's lots of other things in my head as well, other interests and ideas outside racing.
"But yeah, obviously I've done this for so long and it's been central to my life. So, it will be difficult to say that I'm not going to miss it, but how much and whether then I start to look at something else, we'll see how it goes.
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
"For some reason, I like rallying, but I can see it's a major challenge, because it's so different to what we do in let's say classic circuit racing."
Read Also:
- Red Bull admits to Brazil "mistakes" in team orders row, condemns driver abuse
- Steiner: Even an F1 pole position would not have saved Schumacher
- Hulkenberg seals F1 comeback with Haas in 2023
When Fernando Alonso was asked about whether Vettel will be itching to come back just like he did in 2021, the Spaniard felt the circumstances around his own F1 retirement in 2018 were different.
"I don't know what his emotions are now," said Alonso, who will take Vettel's place at Aston Martin next year. "But in 2018 for me even on the front wing it was written 'See you later', it was not a bye-bye.
"In a way in my head, it was always the 2021 rules, an opportunity to come back. I had in my head different challenges at that point.
"I didn't have my head in Formula 1 anymore. But I love Formula 1. And I felt that in 2021 it could be an opportunity with the new rules."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes F1 team left in "disbelief" over FTX collapse
Next article Sainz: Drivers who create F1 qualifying red flags should be penalised
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Filip Cleeren
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
F1 Brazilian GP: Lando Norris wins in mixed conditions, Mercedes clinch constructors’ title
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
7 h
F1 Brazilian GP: Lando Norris wins in mixed conditions, Mercedes clinch constructors’ title
Latest news
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
1 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe