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SEBASTIAN VETTEL has refused to rule out a sensational return to F1 as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes.Hamilton will join Ferrari next season leaving Mercedes with a vacant seat alongside George Russell.Sebastian Vettel said ‘you never know’ when quizzed on his potential return to F1Credit: GettyVettel says he has been speaking with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who has made it clear he would also love to sign Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.Wolff could also opt for highly-rated 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli, but when asked if he was in the running, Vettel did not rule out a return.He said: “Well, potentially I am because I haven’t got a drive, but the question is, am I looking for one?”I think it depends on the package. I retired from Formula One not to come back, but I also did say that you never know. So I think it still stands.READ MORE SPORT NEWS”Obviously, there’s things that I miss, which is mostly the competition. And things that I don’t miss, so that hasn’t changed.”Obviously, life is very different if you’re not involved and I do enjoy that still. You never know where life is taking you, so maybe it takes me back behind the wheel, maybe it doesn’t.”I’ve had conversations with Wolff,” Vettel added. “Not really about the seat.”We did speak about the whole situation in short as well. But I did speak to others as well because I’m still keeping in touch every now and then.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”I have some projects and ideas together with F1. We’ll see if they will turn out or not.”So I am staying in touch. I don’t know. It has to be a couple more phone calls and conversations, I guess, to really find out a little bit more. But for sure it’s one of the best seats on the grid.”Performance-wise, Mercedes has a great track record, struggling a little bit in the last years, but then struggle and you’re still second and third in the constructors’ championship, it’s not like you’re racing in no man’s land.”Vettel also waded into Red Bull Racing’s off-track problems and called for “more transparency”.Inside UK football stadium with race track behind goal where Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button learned to be F1 starsThe German driver, who won his four F1 titles with the team, says there is “still room for improvement” in relation to how many women are working in F1.Earlier this year Red Bull boss Christian Horner was investigated by the energy drink’s HQ in Austria following a complaint from a member of staff.The grievance has since been dismissed but rival teams have called for a clearer understanding into Red Bull’s own processes.Vettel added: “Obviously there’s been a lot of talk since the beginning of the year. I think with these things, it’s always difficult to know everything.”It would be nice if there was simply more transparency so that you could have more of an opinion.”I think it’s always difficult if you read one thing, then another thing and then the opposite.”Vettel left Red Bull to drive for Ferrari and then Aston Martin before calling time on his F1 career at the end of 2022.When quizzed how women were treated in the sport during his career as a driver, he said: “F1 is as an old-fashioned business in many ways.”So first of all, there weren’t many women employed within the sport you know, the numbers were going up.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So between when I started and when I left, there were a lot more women in the paddock and a lot more women not just following the sport, but also working in the sport.”So I think that’s a positive change. But I think really, like everywhere else, there’s still room for improvement.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON has opened up about the moment he was “robbed” of the drivers’ title in 2021 in a new interview.The infamous moment saw him lose the title on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Lewis Hamilton has said the support of his dad got him through the day that ‘hurt him most’Credit: GettyHamilton had a healthy lead but a safety car was called after Nicholas Latifi crashed with five laps to go.Controversially, race director Michael Masi allowed the likes of Max Verstappen to overtake lapped cars separating him from Hamilton.With Verstappen on soft tyres, he was able to easily overtake Hamilton on the final lap of the race.Speaking to GQ, he said that it was the day in his life that “hurt him the most” and that the only consolation was that he had his father there for support.READ MORE ON F1The Brit ace said: “Was I robbed? Obviously.”I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me.”And we’d gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs.”And the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, keep your head high.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”And I obviously went to congratulate Max, and not realizing the impact that that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there’s a mini-me watching. “This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him”I didn’t know how it was going to be perceived. I hadn’t, like, visualised it. “But I was definitely conscious of: These next 50 metres that I walk is where I fall to the ground and die – or I rise up.”Hamilton, 39, also opened up about his plans for life after retiring.The driver will finish his career at Ferrari, after agreeing a shock deal to join them earlier this year.Asked what he plans to replace racing with in his life Hamilton answered: “Well, I think it’s going to be film and fashion.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

SEBASTIAN VETTEL has broken his silence on rumours about his Formula One retirement U-turn and replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.The 36-year-old took his gas off the pedal and left the race track at the end of the 2022 season.Sebastian Vettel has broken his silence on the retirement U-turn rumoursCredit: GettyThere has been speculation Vettel will replace Lewis Hamilton at MercedesCredit: GettyThe four-time world champion wanted to call it quits on his career at Aston Martin to spend more time with his family. But fast forward to today, the German superstar is still open to getting back on the track.When his career ended Vettel said that “You should never say never” to a comeback.And recently the ex-Ferrari driver has been linked to a cockpit return for the 2025 season.READ MORE ON F1After Hamilton announced in February he would be leaving the Silver Arrows at the end of the year for Ferrari there was speculation Vettel would replace him.But Vettel has confirmed he does not intend to join Mercedes.Vettel told BILD: “I’m still interested and follow the races. There’s a lot going on at the moment – on and off the track.”But for me, Formula 1 is not an issue at the moment.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”When I left the sport at the time, I said that you never know if you might make a comeback. “But the intention wasn’t for me to stop and then start again.”The Sun’s Ben Hunt reveals his five greatest Formula One Drivers Ever – with Michael Schumacher in between two BritsOn Monday Vettel was spotted behind the wheel again as he took part in a test for Porsche’s endurance team in Aragon, Spain.He continued: “It was quite funny. I was just curious to see how such a car works and it was exciting to see. “Of course, it was a bit of an adjustment to a Formula 1 car and after a year and a half I was maybe a little rusty.”But for now Vettel will remain retired until the right opportunity comes calling for him. More

GEORGE RUSSELL begged for a red flag immediately after his 100mph crash at the Australian Grand Prix.The British star, 26, was involved in a frightening smash between turns six and seven as he battled with Fernando Alonso.George Russell went hurtling into the barrier during the final lapCredit: AFPThe Brit’s car was left balancing on its sideCredit: AFPRussell, 26, endured a tough weekendCredit: AlamyRussell’s Mercedes was left balancing on its side after hitting the barriers with force.With his car in the middle of the track, the Silver Arrows star was desperate for proceedings to be halted so that he wouldn’t be hit.Straight after coming to a stop, Russell worriedly bellowed down his team radio: “Red flag, red flag, I’m in the middle of the track, red flag, red flag. Red, red, red, red, red.”I’m in the middle. Red. F***. Why so long?”READ MORE F1He then thankfully added: “I’m okay, I am in the middle of the track half upside down.”I just completely lost it, sorry guys.”The race subsequently finished behind a virtual safety car.In the media pen after the fact, Russell explained: “I really don’t know what happened, to be honest.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”I was half a second behind Fernando on the entry of the corner and then suddenly, before the apex, I was right on his gearbox and lost the car, ran wide.”Unfortunately the wall was… well, I ran wide, hit the wall and then it was obviously a dramatic few seconds after that.The chase for glory: Inside the world of F1 reserve drivers”It’s a disappointing end to a difficult race.”Alonso, 42, initially finished sixth in the race.But he was subsequently slapped with a 20-second time penalty, dropping him to eighth.Russell’s Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton was also forced to retire from the race, after suffering an engine failure during lap 18.After the race, Hamilton said: “This is the worst start to a season. It’s worse than 2009 I think.”Following Mercedes’ double-DNF, team principal Toto Wolff added: “Tough to take, super tough.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I would be lying if I said at any moment I felt positive about the situation and optimistic.”You just need to overcome the negative thoughts and say, ‘we will turn this around’. Today it feels very, very brutal.”Lewis Hamilton has endured a tough start to the seasonCredit: Splash More

LEWIS HAMILTON retired from the Australian GP with an engine failure and declared the opening three races as his “worst start” to a season.The 39-year-old lasted just 15 laps before he pulled over when his power unit shut down.Lewis Hamilton claims he’s undergoing the worst start to a season he’s ever hadCredit: SplashHamilton retired from the Australian Grand Prix with an engine failureCredit: RexHis DNF comes after a seventh-place finish in Bahrain and he was a lowly ninth in Saudi Arabia.On Friday, he declared that Mercedes’ latest pig off the production line “messes with the mind” due to its poor performance.Hamilton has decided to ditch Mercedes and move to Ferrari as he believes the Italian team will present him with the best opportunity to win titles again.And while he wants to go out with a bang with Mercedes, his latest set-back means he is down in ninth place in the drivers’ championship.Read More on F1He said: “This is the worst start to a season I’ve ever had.”When asked if it has been worse than 2022 and 2023 where he went winless, not helped by two poorly-designed cars, Hamilton added: “Oh, yeah, for sure.”Surprisingly I feel pretty good. I think I’m trying to keep things in perspective, you know?”It could be so much worse, I’m really grateful and have really enjoyed my time in Australia.Most read in Motorsport”I’m still enjoying working with the team, of course I’d love to be fighting for wins and finishing races.”It’s never a great feeling when you come all this way and don’t even see half of the race, but what I know is that we will bounce back and will get there, we just have to chip away at it.Inside the top secret Mercedes facility that Lewis Hamilton uses before every F1 race and is adapted to every track “I think it’s tough on the spirit for everyone in the team, when so much work is going on throughout the winter for everybody, you come in excited, motivated and driven, and then you’re with the mindset that you’re going to be fighting for wins.”And then obviously that’s not the case. And then you’re like, ‘Okay, maybe second, third’.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”No, it’s not the case, and it cascades a bit further down. And you just go through the motions. It’s challenging.”But I continue to be inspired by the people I’ve worked with. They continue to put in the effort and show up and that’s the most important thing.”Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate George Russell crashed on the final lap after swerving to avoid Fernando Alonso.The accident left Russell’s car on the side in the middle of the track and him calling for the race to be stopped.Both drivers were hauled to see the stewards, who penalised Alonso for “potentially dangerous driving” by lifting off the throttle.The two-time world champion escaped with an incredibly lenient penalty of having 20 seconds added to his total time, dropping him just two places to eighth.George Russell accidentSpeaking before the stewards’ verdict, Russell said: “I’m not going to accuse him of anything until we see further.”I was right behind him for many, many laps. I was half a second behind him before the corner”Then, suddenly he slowed up dramatically and got back on the power. I wasn’t expecting it and he caught me by surprise.”Alonso later added that he felt the penalty was unfair.He said: “In the closing laps, George caught me quickly. I knew that he was coming, then he was in DRS range for five or six laps, so I was just doing qualifying laps to stay ahead.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I wanted to maximise my exit speed from turn six to defend against him. That’s what any racing driver would do, and I didn’t feel it was dangerous.”It’s disappointing to get a penalty from the stewards for what was hard but fair racing. Still, I’m glad that George is okay. It was not nice to see his car in the middle of the track.” More