Vettel puts F1 in the past but ‘exciting’ WEC a ‘good fit’

Sebastian Vettel says his time in Formula 1 is officially over, but the four-time world champion admits that racing in the WEC would make “a good fit” for his post-F1 motorsport ambitions.

Vettel, whose name is synonymous with Red Bull’s first period of dominance in the sport in the early 2010s, retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season after a two-year stint with Aston Martin.

The German’s remarkable legacy includes 53 Grand Prix victories and four consecutive world titles from 2010 to 2013, all with Red Bull. His later years at Ferrari added 14 more race wins, but the 38-year-old now acknowledges that his days as a Grand Prix driver are over.

“F1 is finished,” he recently told Auto Motor und Sport. “At some point the time is ripe to leave the field to others.”

Vettel acknowledged the sport’s shift toward a younger generation of talent on the grid.

“You see that with the rookies,” he added. “I think it's good that a lot of drivers have now been replaced.

“That's not a vote against the older ones, but for the younger ones. In the past, I didn't care who among the established drivers was no longer driving. The most important thing was that I was allowed to drive.”

A New Perspective on Endurance Racing

While Vettel’s F1 chapter has closed, his passion for racing remains undimmed. Since stepping away from the sport, his only competitive outing has been at the Race of Champions.

But speculation about his future has frequently pointed to the World Endurance Championship, and particularly to a potential drive with Porsche at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Last year, Vettel tested with Porsche at Motorland Aragon, but while talks have taken place, nothing concrete has yet materialized. But the 38-year-old is certainly open to the idea of racing in the WEC.

“I don't want to rule out something coming of it. There have been talks, but somehow it hasn't come about yet,” he said.

His attitude toward long-distance racing has evolved significantly since his time in F1.

“In the past I was honestly not that interested in endurance racing, from my perspective as a lone fighter,” Vettel admitted.

“Nowadays, I see it differently. I find it totally exciting, with this team structure, sharing a car and making compromises.”

• Read also: Vettel confirms talks with Marko over Red Bull return

What also makes the WEC particularly attractive to Vettel is its more compact schedule – eight races per season – which contrasts with F1’s increasingly demanding calendar.

“WEC would actually be a good fit with its eight races, which are also structured differently than Formula 1,” he said.

Yet even as he eyes a return to the track, Vettel insists that any move would have to be meaningful and competitive, not symbolic.

“It's always a question of how intense you want to do something,” he said. “For me, it has always been that when I participate in something, I want to do it well. Just participating is nothing for me.”

Vettel’s next steps will be watched closely – especially by fans eager to see one of F1’s most accomplished champions embrace a new challenge in world motorsport.

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