Sebastian Vettel will make his first appearance at an F1 event since the 2024 season, with the German set to appear in front of fans at the Brazilian GP this weekend
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Sebastian Vettel will return to the F1 scene in Brazil(Image: Getty Images)
The Brazilian Grand Prix organisers have confirmed that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will be making a much-anticipated appearance at the fan zone of the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace this weekend.
Vettel, who hasn’t been seen at an F1 event this season, called it quits on his illustrious F1 career at the end of 2022 after a two-year stint with Aston Martin and has since been focusing on charitable causes.
His occasional returns to the F1 paddock, such as in Japan in 2023, and at Imola last season, were to promote biodiversity or honour the life and career of the late Ayrton Senna. He also made a trip to Jeddah ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this year, hosting his #RACE4WOMEN karting event.
Now, Vettel is set to attend Senna’s home race, the Brazilian GP, where he’ll be meeting fans and interacting with spectators in the fan zone at Interlagos. It remains uncertain whether he will make any broader appearances in the paddock.
Despite his absence from F1’s travelling circus since his retirement, the legendary German racer hasn’t dismissed the possibility of a comeback in a management role. In fact, Helmut Marko has already tipped the 38 year old to be his successor at Red Bull.
“There have been a few headlines recently,” Vettel told ORF TV’s Sport am Sonntag podcast back in June. “I still get along great with Helmut, and we’re in contact regarding the topic. [Talks are] not yet that intensive or in-depth; it’s perhaps something that could play a role. In what form remains to be seen.”
Vettel would face a mammoth task stepping into Marko’s shoes, given the Austrian’s pivotal role in Red Bull’s driver development scheme, having nurtured both the German and current world champion Max Verstappen through their junior careers.
“He’s irreplaceable. Let’s just leave it at that,” Vettel continued. “His character alone… and he’s made a very, very significant contribution to what the entire team has achieved over the years since 2005.
“And perhaps it wouldn’t even be the goal to have someone replace him. He’s said a few times that he’s going to quit, but he’s still here. I hope he stays with us for a long time. But of course, at some point, things will inevitably move on, and he knows that.
“He’s a brutal realist and can assess things quite well. He’ll sense when the time is right. I have to admit, though, that I haven’t been that close in recent years. But I do think I know what he’s doing. And no matter what happens, there’s still a lot to learn from him.”
