Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has revealed that a former Formula One star has expressed interest in returning to the sport and replacing number two driver Sergio Perez.
The current world champions’ driver line-up is headed by three-time world champion Max Verstappen, with the experienced Perez at his side.
Red Bull currently leads the constructors’ championship by 24 points over second-place Ferrari, with Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ standings and the Mexican driver in fifth place.
Red Bull are expected to offer Perez a new contract, according to the Mirror, and are confident he is the right man to continue collaborating with their star man, Verstappen.
However, despite this, Marko has shared that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel wants to return to the team he won all his titles with.
Retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel (left) is reportedly interested in returning to Red Bull.
Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has revealed that Vettel has asked about taking Perez’s number two spot from Max Vertsappen.
Max Verstappen (left) and Sergio Pérez (right) are currently the driving duo at Red Bull Racing.
Speaking to German media outlet Formel1.de, the Red Bull advisor said: “(Vettel) has asked us repeatedly, but I don’t think it would be pleasant for him to drive alongside Max Verstappen.”
While Marko doesn’t see a return to Red Bull as the right thing for Vettel, he does see a return to racing in his future.
Marko won Le Mans with Porsche in 1971 and believes the endurance racing format could be the best direction for him, even hinting that he is already on the path towards it.
The Red Bull advisor said: “If I’m correctly informed, it seems to be leaning towards Porsche and long-distance racing.” “I think it would be a very good step for him.”
The 36-year-old retired in 2022 at Aston Martin after completing almost 300 grands prix during a 15-year period in F1.
Vettel raced for BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso and Ferrari, in addition to his two-year stint at Aston Martin and five years at Red Bull.
The German is the youngest world champion in this sport, having won his first title at Red Bull in 2010, aged just 23.
Three more followed in three years, he had already reigned in four consecutive seasons by the time he was 26 years old.
Vettel won four drivers’ championships in a row during his five years at Red Bull
Marko has hinted that Vettel could be heading to Le Mans to compete with Porsche.
After losing to Lewis Hamilton in 2014, his time at Red Bull came to an end and with it his dominance of the drivers’ title.
Vettel remained a constant threat to Mercedes during the German team’s era of dominance, led by Hamilton, but never again won a world title.
The former driver was recently in Imola during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend to commemorate the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, 30 years later, participating in a demonstration.
Speaking to reporters on race weekend, he addressed whether he is ready to return to the sport.
The retired German driver is “still very happy” that he decided to leave the sport despite his interest in returning.
He said: “I miss a lot of it, but I don’t wake up in the morning missing those moments on the podium when people shout your name.”
‘I think I am quite realistic about life and try to take on new challenges. I’m happy and there are many things I miss, but many things I don’t miss.
“It was a difficult decision when I made it, but I was thinking about coming back and I know in advance that I would. But in the end nothing has changed, so I am still very happy with my decision.”