Red Bull won't offer Sebastian Vettel an F1 lifeline

F1

Sebastian Vettel may find himself out of options soon as Red Bull appears to have turned down any chance of signing the four-time champion

Sebastian Vettel, 2020 Styrian GP

Vettel might find himself with nowhere to go as Red Bull rules out reunion

LEONHARD FOEGER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Hopes of a return to Red Bull for Sebastian Vettel appear to be over as the team confirmed it would not be making an offer for the four-time world champion to partner Max Verstappen next year.

According to team principal Christian Horner, an offer will not be forthcoming from the team, who instead will remain committed to its current pairing of Verstappen and Alex Albon.

“We had a brilliant time with Seb and he will forever be a part of our history,” Horner told Sky Sports F1 during practice this weekend’s race.

“We didn’t expect him to be on the market this year and our commitment is to our existing drivers. We think we’ve got a great pairing in Max (Verstappen) and in Alex (Albon). We think that has great potential for the future as well.

“So unfortunately it’s not something we are going to be able to accommodate. That is a definite no, I’m afraid. Sebastian I think is aware of that.”

Ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix, Vettel told media that should any offer materialise from Red Bull then he would accept and return to the team.

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Vettel was pictured talking to Horner and Helmut Marko last weekend in the paddock, and appeared alongside both men on the Red Bull-owned Servus TV during the week.

The German denied that it had anything to with prospective talks that now appear will not even take place.

He also discussed Racing Point‘s emergence as a big force in the midfield, appearing to be in contention for best of the rest with Ferrari and McLaren.

“I think Racing Point left a very strong impression, and certainly are in a good place for this year,” Vettel said.

“I know part of the team, I know some members of the team quite well from my past and for a long time, so I think it’s obviously a good opportunity for them this year to have a good car to fight with and try and improve from there.”

Vettel was confirmed as being replaced at Ferrari for 2021 by Carlos Sainz, with the team never holding fresh contract discussions with the 33-year-old.

He also said that informal talks had taken place with Renault before the announcement that Fernando Alonso would rejoin the Enstone team alongside Esteban Ocon.