8:41 – That Fernando Alonso would return to Renault had been in the air for weeks and was therefore no longer a huge surprise. But what is Sebastian Vettel going to do: are they working behind the scenes on a possibly even greater sensation, in the form of a return at Red Bull? Motorsport.com has heard that it is a wish of Dietrich Mateschitz, but one with hooks and eyes. How real is it and what are the obstacles?
That Vettel is struggling in Ferrari’s scarlet red should no longer be a surprise. Nor has the love for the Maranello brand cooled down. In fact, that is actually an understatement, especially after the special way in which Vettel has been pushed aside. There is no doubt that an employment contract cannot be renewed. But it is mainly about the way in which. And that is somewhat disrespectful. During the winter months, Vettel was regularly told that he would be and would remain the first man, but during the corona crisis a phone call from Mattia Binotto followed with a completely different message: the book can be closed, you can leave.
Vettel remained neatly silent in corona times and avoided publicity, but still broke the silence in Spielberg. In one fell swoop, he punctured the polished story of Ferrari – ‘we broke up after consultation’ – and said that there was no offer at all on the table. The four-time world champion has simply been shown the door, without mercy. This also immediately shows that Vettel has not quit and is not F1 tired or lifeless. In fact, if it is up to the protagonist, he is not yet ready in the royal class. Or like he on Monday evening during the Red Bull program Sport und Talk im Hangar-7 on Hello TV proclaimed: “The financial aspect does not matter to me at all. I am still motivated and motorsport is still my life, it has never been any different. I really don’t want to miss it and under the right circumstances I still feel always at home in an F1 car. “
Mateschitz’s alleged wish: Vettel back home
The smile on his face seemed as significant as the words spoken. And they were also interesting. They first indicated that Vettel wants to go further, but where then? Wanting is one thing, but it should also be possible. Mercedes is full for the current drivers (Vettel knows from his own information), the Renault seat is forgiven and the Racing Point converted to Aston Martin seems unlikely. How about old love Red Bull? Well, Helmut Marko has indicated that it is unfeasible for his formation to get Vettel? “We already have Max Verstappen and cannot afford two stars,” the Austrian told GPUpdate.net in May. Financially it wouldn’t be feasible, but wait a minute: didn’t Vettel just say something completely different, that money doesn’t play any role? The argument that the door to Red Bull would slam can suddenly be dismissed. Money doesn’t have to be the problem. Anyone who knows Vettel a little, agrees and knows that money is really not the most important thing. Certainly not in this case, not at this stage in his career. Vettel is still ambitious and wants to leave Formula 1 in a better way than being thrown into the dirt by Ferrari.
The latter is also the wish of Mateschitz, a worthy farewell for Vettel. Insiders say that the Red Bull founder has two crucial qualities: loyalty and a good memory. These things together mean that he still sees Vettel as an important member of the Red Bull family. He hasn’t forgotten that impossible Toro Rosso victory over Monza and the emotional world title of 2010. In fact, it is one of the reasons that Mateschitz Vettel now wants to offer shelter. It would be a deeply cherished wish. One he would have spoken out to Marko, a generally reliable source reports to GPUpdate.net: ‘Bring Vettel zuhause’. In other words, get Vettel back to Red Bull. In addition to the human aspect, Mateschitz also fits this well from a marketing point of view. For example, his ‘Servus TV’ has just acquired the F1 television rights for Austria. A dream team Verstappen-Vettel would be perfect for this: the entertainment level is enormous, as well as the appearance. It is also potentially an extra lifeline for the Austrian GP, next to all Dutch fans. Now that the German supporters no longer have a race in Hockenheim, that may offer opportunities for Spielberg.
The obstacles: What stands in the way of a return?
The wish is there, but we are not there yet, by far not even. Because it has not been said that the switch will actually be made and that the wish of Mateschitz will be fulfilled. For that we must first mention some obstacles. Money is not part of this as indicated, but there are other folds to smooth out. This is largely related to one person: Alexander Albon. The British Thai is currently sitting next to Verstappen as a teammate and is covered by the very influential and Thai co-owners of Red Bull: the Yoovidhya family. They formally own 51 percent of the shares and have quite a finger in the pie (although Mateschitz is and remains the big man in reality). In any case: pushing or relegating Albon rücksichtslos to the side is completely impossible just because of this business aspect and also undesirable for the million-dollar group Red Bull.
To be able to do that, there must first be a sporty reason. That reason can only be found if Albon is not sufficiently developed or does not perform properly. At Marko, expectations for this go much further than roughly last weekend’s performance in Austria. Yes Albon could have won that race, but only thanks to a sublime strategy. In terms of pure speed, Albon still admits too much to Verstappen, according to Marko’s taste. He wants ‘champion material’ in his team and Albon is not yet that in terms of pure speed. That will have to change, a fact that Messrs Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat can talk about. The latter name also plays a role in this story. Should the folds be ironed out and should a Vettel return prove feasible, he will reportedly become the child of the bill once again. In that case, Albon relegates to AlphaTauri and Kvyat is allowed to leave. Again, in which case Verstappen would of course get a four-time world champion next to him, but the Limburger is not awake by a second captain on the ship. “Whether that can work? Well, of course I have that with Daniel [Ricciardo] and that worked fine in itself. But in the end I’m not going to talk about it. “
A second variable is of course the opposite: whether Vettel dares? After all, you may wonder whether Vettel wants to compete against Verstappen as a teammate? He actually ends up in the drip from the rain. From competing with Leclerc as a young team leader to exactly the same scenario at Red Bull, but with Verstappen. Only one has to turn this around: there is no more glorious farewell than the current night candle at Ferrari, Vettel has nothing more to lose. In addition, the environment is very important for emotional person Vettel. In that respect, Red Bull feels like a warm bath. He also mentioned that on Monday evening: “I have to find something that suits me well, which I still enjoy. That is very important, the environment has to be right.” That is the case with the brand of the red bull. In that respect, Vettel’s first act after Ferrari’s bad phone call is significant. “I immediately called Helmut Marko. Not to ask if he has a place, but just because I have been very good with him for years. I have sketched the whole situation and asked him for advice, he has always had his heart on the tongue and that helps. What comes out of all those conversations remains to be seen. ” It must indeed prove that it is, but it is clear that Vettel’s words have arrived well at Mateschitz: there is a desire for a return, also with the chief. Now the implementation is still more difficult.
With the collaboration of Christian Nimmervoll
