Sebastian Vettel drops teasing F1 hint after Helmut Marko makes wishes clear

has hinted that he could be in line to replace at Red Bull, with the 82-year-old recently of appointing the German as his successor. Vettel won four F1 world titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 before moving to Ferrari. He retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season following a two-year spell with Aston Martin.

Marko has been a key driver of Red Bull's success over the last couple of decades and acts as an advisor as well as overseeing the team's driver development programme. He penned his most recent deal with Red Bull in January 2024 and has a contract that runs until the end of next year. But he will be considering a succession plan and stated last month: "It would be great if a guy like Sebastian could take over."

Vettel has a number of interests away from F1 and has gone on to advocate for social progress and environmentalism. He also oversaw a karting event in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to encourage girls to get involved in racing when the F1 season headed to the kingdom in April.

And discussing a return to F1, Vettel told Austrian outlet : "I still get on really well with Helmut and we are also in dialogue.

"As far as the topic of succession is concerned, it's not yet as intensive or as in depth, but that is perhaps something that could play a role.

"It remains to be seen in what form, but of course it will continue inexorably at some point and I think Helmut knows that too.

"He is a brutal realist and can assess things very well and very genuinely. I think he will realise when the time is right.

"I think I know the position very well from my time when I was very close to it. But to be fair, I have to admit that I haven't been that close to him in recent years."

Marko helped Vettel become one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time after nurturing his talents at Red Bull.

And Vettel added: "I believe, regardless of how it turns out and who succeeds him, that we can still learn a great deal from Helmut and that the position will inevitably be filled differently and lived out differently.

"Because I don't think it's possible to replace him completely. Helmut is not replaceable, let's leave it at that.

"He is a character and has also made a huge contribution to what the whole team has achieved over the years since 2005. Whoever it is, it would be great if the work he has put in is continued."