Since the end of this Formula 1 season, Sebastian Vettel has been enjoying his “early retirement” as an active driver. The 35-year-old made a conscious decision to resign, also to be able to spend more time with his family. When asked about a comeback, however, he always used the sentence: Never say never.
Racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck could well imagine Vettel returning behind the wheel again. “I would maybe say: Not necessarily Formula 1, there are other cool things, for example a GT-3, why not?” He says in an interview with “Motorsport-Total.com”.
“I mean, he can take part in a race here. Well, Formula 1 is full. Let him continue with all his other ideas for four months. When Formula 1 starts again, when the season starts again, we’ll see if butt itches.”
Stuck is impressed by the farewell that Formula 1 Vettel prepared at his last race in Abu Dhabi: “In the time since I’ve been involved with motorsport, I can’t remember that a Formula 1 driver once was given such a respectful and grand farewell by all his fellow drivers.”
“The way everyone stood there and hugged him shows how he is respected, how he is accepted and what he has achieved in his life,” said the 71-year-old.
Stuck praises Vettel for late team change
“You have to say anyway: Great, after the Ferrari disaster, which was unfortunately the case, then to get into an Aston Martin where he knows I can’t win races with it. That shows that he’s just up for it driving and if he still accelerates until the last lap,” Stuck praises Vettel’s attitude.
“I have to honestly say: I think it’s really great that he did it, that he simply showed that I’m not just the Vettel who only accelerates in a top car, but I also drive with a cucumber and try to do the maximum admit.”
“You have to give him a lot of credit for that, definitely,” emphasizes Stuck. “Because, let’s say, he certainly didn’t need the money. So, taking on this job, hats off, really true.” In this respect, the “retirement” is deserved.
“You have to do something different now, you have to accept it, respect it. But personally, I think that if I’m assuming things now, my ass would be itching after four months. Or he’s really put the family issue in the foreground now . Ok, let him try it, to each his own.”
But one thing is certain for Stuck: “What he did in Formula 1 was really in the same breath as Senna, Prost, Piquet, Lauda, Schumacher – on the same level, no question.” Vettel was not only noticed as a driver, but also as a personality.
Stuck: Vettel would also be a good manager
“You noticed where he comes from, that he has a family that supports him,” says the former racing driver. “And if you ask me about all these other things now, I have to say, on the subject of environmental projects: You, let him do it. He’s personality enough that he knows what he wants.”
“He’s just doing his thing, you have to think that’s good. It’s okay. Well, others might just think it, but he just says it straight, why not? Accepted.”
That’s why Stuck could well imagine the Germans in a management position. “Definitely,” he says. “With the name and the background that he’s doing there, a manufacturer or even the FIA could consider themselves lucky if they bring in their ideas on the subject of environmental protection.”
“I mean, I don’t despise environmental protection either, on the contrary. I also try to make my contribution where I can. So, why not? And that’s certainly interesting for a partner, a man with a name like that, with a guy like that value then.”
However, Stuck knows: “If he takes over something like that, he’ll be in the pot again for 300 days.” That needs to be well thought out. “Yes, now he should rest. Now he should have a nice winter and have a little fun, he deserves it.”