Sebastian Vettel has departed from Formula One after spending six years at Ferrari and two with Aston Martin. There are rumors that Mercedes is considering him as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has not ruled out the possibility of Vettel returning to Formula One, acknowledging the talks he had with the four-time world champion.

In February, Hamilton announced his departure from Mercedes after an 11-year stint, leading to speculation about his replacement. Wolff emphasized that the driver market is dynamic and that it is too early to commit to a specific driver. While praising Vettel’s track record, Wolff mentioned that the team has not made a decision on Hamilton’s successor.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, had a successful tenure with Red Bull from 2010-13 before leaving Formula One in 2022. Wolff has a shortlist of potential replacements, with Max Verstappen reportedly being at the top. Additionally, highly rated young Italian F2 driver Kimi Antonelli and Mick Schumacher, son of Michael Schumacher, have been named as potential candidates to join Mercedes.

Wolff expressed his eagerness to evaluate Antonelli, who has been associated with the team for a long time. Overall, the Mercedes team is actively considering their options for Hamilton’s replacement, with Vettel being an intriguing possibility alongside other prominent names in the sport.