Report: Red Bull, Audi, and Aston Martin all turned down Vettel.

      Dr. Helmut Marko has disclosed that he firmly rejected Sebastian Vettel's wish to make a comeback to Formula 1 in 2025 with Red Bull. Amid ongoing speculation regarding Sergio Perez’s uncertain prospects last year, advisor Marko acknowledged that the team’s former four-time world champion, Vettel, reached out via phone. This comes despite the 37-year-old German asserting just days ago that he is quite content in his retirement.

      "I have genuinely enjoyed the last few years, especially the time spent with my children," Vettel stated to RTL. "I hope they have enjoyed it as well. Maybe my feelings will change in the future, but for now, everything is going very well."

      However, Auto Bild reports that Vettel is "not entirely done" with Formula 1 just yet. "He tells those close to him that he still feels fit enough," journalist Ralf Bach mentioned. "He will keep searching for an opportunity to make a comeback." Bach further noted that, contrary to the official narrative, Vettel did not retire voluntarily. "Aston Martin did not want to renew his contract, and other teams were also not interested in signing him," he explained.

      The same report indicated that after retiring, Vettel "offered his services" to Audi’s new Formula 1 initiative, but both Sauber and Audi declined his offer. As for Marko, he openly acknowledged Vettel's desire to be Max Verstappen’s partner for 2025. "Sebastian would have liked to race alongside Max for us," he said. "However, it wouldn’t have made sense—essentially to protect him. Max would have undoubtedly outperformed him, which would have harmed Sebastian’s reputation. I couldn’t and didn’t want to permit that."

      David Coulthard, who retired from F1 in 2008 at the age of 37 while racing for Red Bull, urged Vettel to embrace life after racing. "He should let it go and stop fantasizing that he will be quicker after a few years off," he was quoted as saying by Speed Week. "He wasn’t exactly at his peak at the end with Aston Martin. The stopwatch is a truthful measure," Coulthard added.