Vettel refutes claims of return to racing in Formula E

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Sebastian Vettel has rubbished suggestions made by a Formula E team that he could return to racing in the all-electric series next year.

Earlier this month, ABT Cupra team boss Thomas Biermaier appeared to suggest that Vettel was a candidate to replace the outfit's outgoing driver Robin Frijns for Formula E's next season.

ABT Cupra, which finished last in this year's FE campaign with Frijns and Nico Müller, parted ways with the former because the Dutchman's "future plans do not entirely match our future plans", according to Biermaier.

"Maybe we’ll take a look in Switzerland. A racing driver lives there who is committed to the environment and does a lot of work when it comes to sustainability."

Biermaier's comments were immediately interpreted as indicating that Vettel was already ready to come out of retirement - a year after leaving F1 - and return to racing.

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However, the four-time F1 world champion has now set the record straight on Biermaier's claims.

"I am not in negotiations to run in Formula E with ABT Cupra or with any other team," he said, as quoted by the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com.

"Words have been put in my mouth, and I would like to clarify that I am not currently considering a return to motorsport."

©AstonMartin

On paper, a potential involvement In Formula E by Vettel – should the German be interested in returning to racing – would seem logical given his environmental concerns.

"I’ve tried to convince Sebastian to come to Formula E," said series founder Alejandro Agag. "He’s busy, I think he’s got a future job lined up, I’ve heard.

"He’s very committed to sustainability, he’s very committed to many of the values we share. We were not in the right place at the right time!"

But from the outset, Vettel has never been fully convinced by Formula E's 'green' credentials.

"I don't understand the meaning behind [Formula E]," he said a year ago. "The battery technology that is being developed has nothing to do with the technology that a normal car could use.

"It is not good for the environment if the batteries are charged not with renewable energy but with fossil fuels."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.