According to multiple reports, Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has been named as a potential Lewis Hamilton replacement if the latter ends up retiring from the sport.
The seven-time world champion in Hamilton is rumoured to be considering retirement in the wake of what happened to him at Abu Dhabi. There, he was robbed of what would have been a surefire eighth world title had the FIA not bent the rules on the final lap of the race.
With the Mercedes driver going missing on social media and refusing to speak on what happened, the rumours started gaining traction. They were strengthened when the FIA called a meeting to investigate what happened that night at Yas Marina, with the consensus being that they were trying to appease the British Knight and coax him out of retirement.
However, Vettel has been named as a potential Hamilton replacement should he end up hanging his helmet and leaving for good. This comes on the heels of Alpine driver Esteban Ocon, AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly and Formula E driver Nyck de Vries also being on Mercedes’ radar.
Weltmeister at Mercedes
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher backed his countryman to take the seat at Mercedes if it vacates itself.
“He has the experience, he still has the speed, and above all he knows the Mercedes car – or the engine,” he told Sky Deutschland, as quoted by grandpx.news.
“I think the Aston Martin concept is very close,”
Schumacher also suggested that Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer leaving may prompt Vettel to seek a move elsewhere.
“This change in personnel at Aston Martin may not be ideal for Sebastian,” he said.
“I think Otmar Szafnauer and him was a good team.”
Read more: Vettel unhappy with F1’s approach towards mental health despite drivers speaking up about it