Ex-Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan believes Mercedes should prioritise trying to tempt Sebastian Vettel to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton for next season.
Hamilton stunned the F1 fraternity last week by opting to pen a multi-year agreement with Ferrari from 2025, only six months on from signing a two-year renewal with Mercedes.
Vettel opted to retire from the sport at the end of 2022, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career that had comprised four Drivers’ titles, 53 victories and 122 podiums.
The 36-year-old has been tipped to return at some stage, however, and admitted last year that he couldn’t rule out the prospect of being prized back into a full-time F1 drive.
Although Wolff downplayed the prospect of his long-time friend being considered, Jordan reckons a German driver in a German car would be an ideal solution for Mercedes.
“I have to say, in the short term, I would look at Vettel,” Jordan said on the Formula for Success podcast. “Because we know these cars are not as difficult to drive as in your day, in my day, when you needed a neck the size of a wine barrel.
“It’s just ridiculous, the cars are not as difficult and that’s why you have the longevity. That’s why you have [Fernando] Alonso being able to continue and that’s why you have the much older drivers.
“I think it’s a very sad day – it’s the first time in the history of Formula 1 there has not been a rookie in the championship. I am absolutely appalled by that. But, anyway, let’s keep to the story!
“I think Vettel has to be in the frame, because of the German contact. We know what happened with Michael [Schumacher] before, he left Ferrari and where did he go? Back to Mercedes, so that’s a possibility.
“You’ve also talked about [Esteban] Ocon, I happen to like [Alex] Albon. That could be a possibility but I do see him as possibly a replacement, down the road, for [Sergio] Perez in some years to come.
“But, if it was me, and the way Formula 1 is progressing, I would look at Vettel – I think it’s a good choice. It makes sense for Mercedes, a German driver in the car.
“I think Toto is under a bit of pressure with Mercedes as to ‘Why weren’t we aware of this before, up against car launch time? It’s disturbing. It’s probably distressing to the team and for our promotions.’
“They now have to look at all of the advertising that they were planning to do over a long, long time. Are you going to put advertising out there for Lewis Hamilton when you know he’s leaving the team? It changes the whole scenery of the whole situation, I have to say it’s a big surprise.”
Coming out of retirement to drive for Mercedes would see Vettel emulate his childhood hero Schumacher, who drove for the Silver Arrows between 2010 and 2012.
Responding to Jordan’s suggestion, David Coulthard discussed how a conversation with the four-time champion revealed that he could be enticed back for the right chance.
“Vettel – I did at an event with him at Nurburgring last year where we drove a couple of the old Red Bulls, the V8s,” Coulthard commented.
“He was very much of the conversation that he’s not closed to racing again. He still felt, in a way, there was unfinished business for him in Formula 1.”
However, Coulthard contends that Vettel could struggle against Russell having not raced since he departed F1 and instead tipped Alonso to be a more suited option.
“If I was Mercedes, I would take Alonso over Vettel. He’s race fit,” Coulthard argued.
“He understands the engine, and the power units because of the Aston Martin. He’s still gladiatorial and got the bit between his teeth.
“Yes, maybe Seb was just struggling a little bit with the development of the Aston when he was there. But he wasn’t sort of putting manners on Lance Stroll in the way that we’ve seen from Fernando Alonso. So, I could get Fernando, I’d take him.
“Then, yes, I think Vettel could be a good experienced option, and certainly a good marketing story as well, providing he doesn’t get his doors blown off by George, I think George is fantastically fast. So it wouldn’t be easy for Seb.
“If they put a big name in the car, and they’re still not winning in 2025, that’s a difficult one, it’s not going to end well, is it?”
