• Hamilton advocates Vettel’s return to Mercedes for F1 revival
• Vettel ponders return, while Mercedes explores multiple driver options
• Russell criticizes Alonso’s driving, praises Vettel’s potential comeback

Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence in Sebastian Vettel’s ability to return to Formula One by assuming his responsibilities at Mercedes following his departure to Ferrari after the current season.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who retired in 2022, has previously disclosed that he has been in discussions with several teams, including Toto Wolff, the principal of the Mercedes team. Before this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton believed Sebastian Vettel should return to Mercedes for a revival.

He stated, “I would love for Seb to return; I believe it would be an incredible option for the team.” “A driver from Germany who has won multiple world championships and possesses extraordinary values and who would continue to propel the team forward.” I would be ecstatic if he returned.”

Hamilton responded “zero” when asked if he would have any influence over Mercedes’ decision. The driver chuckled in response. Nonetheless, he had hoped that the team would seek out a driver who shared the same dedication to the principles that the seven-time champion has emphasised throughout his tenure with Mercedes, such as promoting diversity and inclusiveness among team members.

“My sole concern is that the team hires an individual who possesses integrity and shares the team’s vision and objectives,” he explained. “Someone who possesses compassion works well with exceptional individuals and consistently encourages them.” “So many exceptional individuals comprise this team.”

In addition to Vettel, the team is contemplating several other options, including luring Red Bull’s Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, world champion Max Verstappen, and their promising juvenile driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Vettel, who won four Formula One championships with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, followed by six years at Ferrari and two at Aston Martin, confirmed earlier this week that he was contemplating a return to the sport.

“I am currently conversing with Toto. He said, “I am uncertain whether that qualifies as Mercedes, but about other matters.” “Since I know many individuals, I converse with them frequently, but only about something. I mean, [a possible return] enters my consciousness; I consider it, but it is not the primary concern.

“Alongside racing, I also spoke with several other team principals regarding other topics.” “At this moment, nothing concrete has formed from thoughts.”

Vettel may consider a drive with the Porsche 963 sports car, which is presently competing in the World Endurance Championship, which the German has also recently tested. The Le Mans 24 Hours in June will be the occasion for such a drive.

George Russell, a teammate of Hamilton’s, said he would be delighted to have Vettel join him behind the wheel. He stated, “Sebastian is a four-time world champion and a wonderful person; his personality is missed on the grid.” “It is critical that we field twenty of the world’s best drivers in competition for championships and race victories.” Therefore, I am ecstatic and willing to have anyone as a comrade.”

Russell stated in Japan that Alonso went too far in causing the high-speed collision that the British driver experienced at the Australian Grand Prix last month. As a result, Russell was confined to his damaged car, which was positioned on its side in the middle of the track in Melbourne. Russell maintained that the FIA’s penalty for the Spanish driver was entirely appropriate.

Russell pursued Alonso as the race neared its conclusion when the Spaniard decelerated, followed by a resurgence of acceleration along the straight as he approached turn six. Russell acknowledged in Japan that he was adjusting a setting on his steering wheel at the time, as he had not anticipated Alonso to decelerate on a straight and was nearly in front of him when he glanced up. At 150 mph, he was compelled to swerve, collided with the wall, and rebounded into the middle of the track, prompting him to call for an immediate halt to the race for fear of colliding with another vehicle.

“Every driver is free to alter their line, apply the brakes earlier, or accelerate through the corner,” he explained. “I believe it exceeds the scope of line adjustment to initiate a sequence of downshifting, accelerating, re-gestating, and braking for a corner while braking in the middle of a straight.”

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“I was staring directly at the steering wheel, just as I had done for every lap up until that point. Furthermore, upon raising my gaze 100 metres before the corner, I discerned that I was precisely one-half second behind Fernando. We have many responsibilities to attend to when we are behind the wheel. Including the possibility of applying the brakes during the straightaway to obtain a tactical advantage may be excessive discretion.

The FIA subsequently penalised Alonso for his erratic driving, but he insisted he had not committed any wrongdoing in Suzuka. “The penalty in Melbourne caught me off guard, but there’s no recourse,” he explained. “Completion of 57 laps need not be completed in the same manner.” “We sometimes maintain a reduced speed to conserve fuel, tyres, and battery life. Additionally, we reduce our speed into certain sectors of the track or corners toto provide the DRS to the car behind us, which will be useful if the second car travels faster.

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