Marko hints Red Bull have already earmarked future role for Vettel

Sebastian Vettel to retire from F1 at end of season

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Helmut Marko has claimed that Sebastian Vettel has already been earmarked for a major role at Red Bull. The iconic German driver, who won four consecutive world titles with the team from 2010 to 2013, spent his final two seasons with Aston Martin before retiring from the sport amid emotional scenes at this month’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Vettel, 35, walked away as a hugely popular figure in F1, a notion signified by all drivers getting together for a special farewell dinner ahead of the race at the Yas Marina. The event was organised by Lewis Hamilton, who then reportedly picked up the restaurant bill afterwards.

After two years with Toro Rosso, Vettel joined Red Bull in 2009, finishing as runner up in the drivers’ standings in his maiden season with the team. He became F1’s youngest ever world champion the following season, and remained with the team until leaving for Ferrari at the end of 2014.

He won’t be involved in the sport in any capacity in 2023, but Marko has dropped a heavy hint that he will one day return. In fact, he’s even touted Vettel to fulfil to take over from him as a the team’s head of development.

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“It is not excluded that Vettel will return to a position in management. I am almost 80, so that would be something!” said Marko, when speaking to Sky Germany. “We discussed it and I think such a position would appeal to him.”

Vettel has also become renowned for speaking out on environmental issues, and Marko joked he had other priorities for now: “That came up in that conversation between us. I am convinced that the potential and the personality are there,” he said. “But now we let him plant some trees and then we’ll see what happens.”

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Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has long spoken of his admiration of his former driver, and recently recalled the partnership between Vettel and Mark Webber. In light of the spat between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in Brazil, Horner was asked if the duo were good to manage.

“Compared to our current drivers, easy,” Horner said. “They (Vettel and Webber) were a great pair. We had some fantastic times when you look back now at what we did together.”

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