Sebastian Vettel “Seriously consider a one-time return to F1 at Suzuka”[F1-Gate.com]

Sebastian Vettel, who will retire from F1 at the end of this season, said he would “seriously consider” a one-off return to F1 at the Suzuka circuit.

Four-time winner of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit, Sebastian Vettel will make his final appearance as a full-time Formula 1 driver at his ‘favorite track on the calendar’ this weekend.

Sebastian Vettel was asked at Thursday’s drivers’ press conference for the Japanese Grand Prix whether he would consider returning to the Suzuka circuit in another category like Super Formula or Super GT.

Responding to the question, Sebastian Vettel made a surprise revelation that if an F1 team needed a replacement driver, they would consider starting in F1 once more at Suzuka.

Sebastian Vettel, who doesn’t know much regarding the Japanese category, said first: “I think Super GT and Super Formula are also racing at Suzuka.”

“I don’t know. It’s never never been. It’s a great track for many reasons and who knows what the future holds.”

“Obviously I love to drive and I’ve always felt very alive and passionate at this track. I feel very alive.”

“Well, let’s see what types of cars will come out in the future.”

“Perhaps in the future if one of them[at the press conference with Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, Kevin Magnussen and Nicolas Latifi]feels a little sick at a race here, we might race. No, I don’t know, I hope they don’t, but at Suzuka I can always go back to racing.”

“But of course we’ll see what the future brings. I don’t have any plans at the moment, but I think there are some exciting races in Japan and we’ll see what happens.”

A favorite of most of the drivers on the F1 calendar, the Suzuka circuit has been pretty hospitable to Sebastian Vettel during his F1 career, scoring eight podiums in 11 starts and four victories during his time at Red Bull. I got

Sebastian Vettel’s declaration is the first time he has publicly hinted at a return to F1. He had not previously suggested he would return to the paddock following retiring from F1 at the end of 2022.

Sebastian Vettel is not associated with the reserve driver role that helped former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, who retired in 2017, enter the Monaco Grand Prix as a stand-in for Indy 500 racer Fernando Alonso.

Asked if he was serious regarding his F1 return at Suzuka, Sebastian Vettel said: “My future is a one-race, one-race career.”

“Yes, if someone is willing to sign up for a driver for one race. I’m sure they won’t be willing to walk away. But that’s something I would seriously consider.”

Sebastian Vettel’s declaration is more likely to show his love for the Suzuka circuit than any lingering regrets or undoing his decision to retire.

Sebastian Vettel has yet to reveal his plans for 2023, apart from returning to the Race of Champions next January alongside reigning F1 champion Mika Hakkinen and W Series ace Jamie Chadwick.

Category: F1 / Sebastian Vettel / F1 Japan GP / aston martin