Sebastian Vettel has now spoken to Stefano Domenicali about ‘dream’ behind-the-scenes return to F1

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Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel walked away from the sport at the end of the 2022 season.

Sebastian Vettel won 53 Grand Prix, achieved 122 podiums and scored more than 3,000 points in his 299 race starts.

It’s a record that only a handful of drivers in the history of Formula 1 can match, and in the past three years, he’s made several appearances in the paddock.

Vettel helped honour Ayrton Senna at last year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, and launched ‘Buzzin’ Corner’ at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix as part of a biodiversity initiative.

Interestingly, Vettel has been linked with racing for Mercedes since leaving Aston Martin in 2022, and a potential return to race with Porsche at Le Mans.

The German driver appears to have hung up his racing boots for now, but that doesn’t mean his association with Formula 1 is over.

It’s now believed that he has spoken to Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali about a new role in the sport, as well as a desire to work with one team in the paddock.

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Sebastian Vettel has ‘dream’ Formula 1 role amid Helmut Marko replacement interest at Red Bull

Journalist Bianca Garloff was speaking about the former Red Bull star’s future and explained: “I think one role he’d like to see himself in, which would be much more realistic, is actually a kind of environmental ambassador, or sustainability ambassador for Formula 1.

“So, I think that’s the dream job for him at the moment.

“I also know that he’s already tried to talk to Stefano Domenicali about it, but Stefano hasn’t really taken the bait yet.

“I think that’s what Seb would really like to do. In parallel, of course, something like what Helmut Marko does at Red Bull, but without all the work!

“So, in other words, he would like to help young drivers on their way to Formula 1, all under the Red Bull banner, just like he did back then.

“But maybe he doesn’t work as much as Helmut Marko actually does. And I think the two parties didn’t really come to an agreement.

“Helmut said in our interview that there’s a bit more to it than just sticking your nose in the air every now and then and giving young drivers tips.

“But, I could also imagine that Sebastian would like something like that, but not in a nine-to-five job, but at certain events to encourage young drivers and give tips.”

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What Sebastian Vettel has previously said about replacing Helmut Marko at Red Bull

Domenicali might not have immediately accepted Vettel’s proposal about becoming an environmental ambassador for F1, but he should take his interest seriously.

Formula 1 has net-zero targets approaching, and having an ambassador as high-profile and passionate as Vettel would do the sport a world of good.

However, it’s hard to see Vettel being able to juggle those responsibilities if he did replace Helmut Marko at Red Bull.

Marko is 82 years old but still attends virtually every Formula 1 race weekend alongside his role inspiring the latest generation of Red Bull junior drivers.

Vettel has already responded to claims he could replace Marko, and believes that the Austrian is irreplaceable.

The German former driver feels like a natural replacement for Marko one day, although it’s hard to imagine him being quite as harsh in his assessment of young drivers.

What’s clear from this is that Vettel is keen to be involved in Formula 1 again at some point in the future.