Sauber Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto has hinted he would be open to seeing Sebastian Vettel complete its 2025 Formula 1 driver line-up.
Vettel has not been on the F1 grid since he decided to retire once 2022 ended to spend more time with his close ones amid an ever-expanding relentless F1 schedule.
However, the German, 37, has admitted in several interviews since that he would contemplate a return to the series based on the opportunities that could be available.
The last remaining drive on the 2025 roster is down at Sauber, which will transition into a works Audi team once new technical regulations shake up the sport in 2026.
Audi’s impending status as a works setup could be an enticing proposition to Vettel, whose compatriot Nico Hulkenberg has signed a long-term deal with the marque.
Binotto, who managed Vettel at Ferrari from 2019-2020, has indicated he would like to renew ties with the four-time F1 champion in his role overseeing Audi’s venture.
“Vettel?” Binotto queried in an interview with Sky Germany. “I adore him, having worked with him in the past.
“Knowing him, you appreciate his greatness as a person even before as a driver.”
However, Sauber’s current uncompetitive state as the sole team still to score a point in 2024 could be a hindrance to Binotto’s potential plans to attract Vettel to Audi.
Vettel’s choice to retire came amid a gradual drop down the pecking order which saw him end with an Aston Martin team which delivered one podium in two seasons.
Should the erstwhile Red Bull driver opt to turn down a possible Audi proposal, Binotto has asserted that Sauber/Audi has numerous options on the table to mull over.
Among those includes Mick Schumacher, whom Binotto worked with when the German was climbing through the ranks with Ferrari as he progressed to F1 with Haas.
However, Schumacher was dropped once his sophomore season ended in 2022 and he has been unable to return since, with Alpine deciding to overlook him for 2025.
“At the moment, I haven’t decided yet,” Binotto addressed.
“It will take a couple of weeks. I want to look around and make the right choice, not just for the short term.
“Mick Schumacher? He is on our list, as are other drivers. We’re not in a hurry; we’ll decide before the end of September.”
Binotto has conceded that he must decide whether to prioritise another experienced driver alongside Hulkenberg, 37, or to give a fresh name a chance in the series.
“It’s definitely something that we need to judge: are we going for experience or something else?” Bottas told the media at Monza last weekend.
“This is a project which is looking to a long term objective, so [the question is] what’s the best for us from now to the final goal?
“Is it more having short term experience and then moving to something different? We need to decide and today I think we are not in the position to answer.
“We are certainly listening to all potential drivers. We are certainly evaluating what the pros and the cons are for the best compromise.”
