Sebastian Vettel could be set for a Formula 1 return despite only stepping away from the sport a few months ago after 17 years in the pinnacle of motorsports.
Having won four world titles and drover for Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, Vettel decided to leave the grid to spend more time with his family, as he pursues activities outside of racing.
Ted Kravitz believes that Vettel will be seen at a racetrack soon, although not in a driving seat.
“We may well see a surprise comeback of Sebastian Vettel this year, but it won’t be as a driver,” Kravitz said.
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“I truly believe he has decided not to drive anymore and as a man of integrity, as I know he is, I don’t think he is going to disappoint everybody by going ‘ahh, do you know what, I wasn’t sincere in that, here we go, I am coming back as a driver’. And everybody will go ‘hang on, we said goodbye to you’.
“Possibly Audi, maybe, but I kind of think he will come back to Red Bull. I think he will replace Helmut Marko, that is more likely. As the sort of motorsport advisor,” the Sky Sports presenter added.
Marko is due to turn 80 in the coming weeks and has been open about potentially retiring, especially in the wake of the passing of former Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz.
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“He’s got insights. It remains to be seen how far he will respond to our ideas. Red Bull Racing has always been very independent,” Marko told Speedweek.com, discussing his relationship with new CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.
“It’s no longer the case that I report by phone after every practice session and race.
“The direct, personal, and friendly relationship is no longer there. Didi was a visionary and had emotions. I don’t see that anymore.”