After the 2024 season, there will be a few empty seats to fill on the grid. Mainly Lewis Hamilton’s seat in Mercedes. After the Briton’s exit from the Silvery Arrow for Ferrari, Toto Wolff has the responsibility to find a new driver. But not just any driver. Someone worthy enough to fit into Hamilton’s shoes.
Although there are rumors about Fernando Alonso taking the seat, there have been talks of another World Champion making it back to the sport. Ralf Schumacher recently took to Sky Germany to talk about Mercedes’s empty seat and who he thinks might step up for the challenge.
Sebastian Vettel: A fitting replacement for Lewis Hamilton
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According to Ralf Schumacher, Safety Seb wants to make a return to F1. He decided to retire in 2022 after having two bad seasons with Aston Martin but it seems like the 4 time world champion is coming back for more. Although the 36-year-old driver is off the grid, Schumacher told Sky Germany, “I heard that Sebastian Vettel wants to drive again,” as reported by RossoMotori.
He then explained, “Of course, now he needs to fill a void. He certainly saw what happened in the stock market after Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari, which triggered something.” Drawing attention to Mercedes he said, “Then, there will also be a question mark for Mercedes: whether George Russell has the charisma to replace Lewis Hamilton all over the world in terms of marketing, or whether it is better to take a German driver like Sebastian.” And everything starts to make sense.
A car brand’s value is highly affected by how it performs in Formula 1. Many automotive enthusiasts love to keep up with the companies that have the best vehicles on the grid. Losing a public asset like Lewis Hamilton has taken a huge toll on the team. Having Sebastian Vettel fill his shoes would be a fitting choice, as that will mean trading a World Champion for another. Beyond them both being world champions, there is also a rivalry that still needs to be settled.
The Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel rivalry
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Hamilton and Vettel have been involved in several championship battles over the years, most notably in the F1 hybrid era (2014-present). While they often dominated the field, their direct championship fights were relatively few, with each driver having periods of dominance separated by seasons where their respective teams faced stronger competition.
Although the two drivers are fiercely fighting for the same goal, there is a high amount of respect between the two. They are often seen celebrating each other’s achievements while understanding what they need to overcome. Vettel is known for his peak in Red Bull, but he exited Ferrari. And now Lewis Hamilton has done the same. This time, the roles can be reversed. Will it be the 36-year-old German in Silver and the 39-year-old Briton in Red?
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It also makes sense to bring in Vettel for Mercedes from a branding standpoint. Vettel is also considered a legend in the F1 community, community, with 4 impressive world championships. This makes him a high-value asset for Mercedes if they are considering a new brand ambassador after missing out on Lewis Hamilton. That being said, would you like to see the roles reversed? What do you think of Vettel joining Mercedes in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.