Sebastian Vettel has made some intriguing remarks ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, which suggest that he may not be ready to say goodbye to Formula 1 just yet.
The four-time world champion announced his retirement ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, and tributes continue to flood in for the German.
READ HERE: What Budapest Taught Us About Sebastian Vettel's Complex F1 Legacy
He will depart the sport in November after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but, as one of his favourite races on the calendar returns this weekend for the first time in three years, we have the first signs that Vettel may be evaluating his decision to leave.
Sebastian Vettel open to one-off F1 returns in future
Despite a struggle with the uncompetitive Aston Martin team since joining in 2021, the news of Sebastian Vettel's retirement still took the F1 paddock aback when it broke in July.
The 35-year-old had previously said he was committed to at least another year in the sport, and was linked with McLaren mere days before his retirement announcement.
In the press conference ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, Vettel showed some signs of regret.
Interesting listening to Sebastian Vettel in the FIA presser. For the first time there almost seemed a hint of regret in his decision to retire. Says he'd be open to cameo appearances in future. #F1 #JapaneseGP
— Mat Coch (@matcoch) October 6, 2022
The Suzuka circuit is famously one of Sebastian Vettel's favourite circuits, and one at which he has enjoyed great success in the past, clinching his second world title at the track in 2011.
When asked if he would consider returning to the track with a different racing series such as the Japanese Super Formula, Vettel made some intriguing remarks:
Never say never. I mean, it is a great track for many, many reasons. And yeah, who knows what the future brings? I don't know. Obviously I love driving and I think around this track I always felt very alive and the passion feels very alive. So yeah, we will see what type of car maybe in the future will come up.
Maybe one of the guys, in the future, who races here will feel a bit sick, I don't know. I don't wish them to feel so, but I wouldn't mind jumping back in for a race in Suzuka at any time. But yeah, obviously. We'll see what the future brings.
At the moment, I have no plans. But I think there are some exciting races happening in Japan and I don't know, we'll see.
If anybody's happy to sign up a driver for a single race. I'm sure those guys wouldn't be happy to step aside but it would be something I would seriously consider.
The comments from Sebastian Vettel ahead of the race at the iconic Suzuka circuit are certainly a marked change from the definitive statements on retirement during the summer. It stops short of a u-turn, but Vettel has certainly left the door open to making a return to F1 in the future, even on a one-off basis.
They come off the back of an impressive result last time out in Singapore, where Vettel fought hard to bring the Aston Martin from P13 to P8 by the chequered flag.
The last time F1 visited Japan in 2019, Vettel stuck his Ferrari on pole position.
WHAT. A LAP.
Go onboard with @ScuderiaFerrari's Sebastian Vettel as he secures pole position at Suzuka with a track record time of 1:27.064! #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 @pirellisport #PirelliPolePositionAward pic.twitter.com/Or5fSqDSap— Formula 1 (@F1) October 13, 2019
It would be a miracle if he enjoyed similar success this weekend in the poor Aston Martin car. He is popular with the crowd in Japan, however, and will hope to put on a show for them on Sunday, on what should be his last F1 appearance at the track.
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