'So is Sebastian Vettel going to mercedes?' 'No' 'OK then'

So let's spend 9 minutes talking about what definitely will not happen, by continuedly repeating what will definitely not happen. God I’m too old for this 🤦🏼‍♂️

Front running team? Generous wording these days

I hate the Race's obsession with hitting that 9 - 11 minute mark, no matter the content.

I don’t see Sainz or Alonso settling for a 1 or 2 year deal with Merc knowing that Antonelli is Mercs goal for 2026

You talking about Vettel is also drawing attention to his energy drink. He's a genius. Free marketing. UKposts is one of the best marketing tools right now, but paying for sponsor spots is expensive... Call Toto, talk to a few reporters and dozens of youtube channels talk about you for free.

Did Hamilton really talk about being a team player lol

I don't think he'll enter F1. One of the reasons he brought up for leaving was that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Maybe going back and racing in Le Mans for a once-a-year race appearance is one thing, but racing in 24 weeks in a year is going to be a no-go for him knowing that family reason.

Seb becoming slow in the final years is a common misconception (maybe 2020 is an exception). It's more like he became more inconsistent. He was still quick half of the races and was nowhere in the other half, his pace kept alternating, that's why on average Stroll was closer. Also Seb still had his racecraft intact (overtakes, defending etc). We should also consider that Seb consistently had worse strategy and luck than Stroll, and also Stroll performed worse than usual against Alonso. Remember Stroll was a lot closer to Alonso at the beginning and at the end of last year. This year will either prove or disprove what I said about Stroll

Hamilton calling other drivers selfish is wild - he’s as ruthless as any driver when he feels threatened which can be a good thing

"Hes 37" he says whilst discussing the 40 year old moving backwards on the grid and heading to Ferrari and whether a 42 year old in a stalled nepo team was suited to be a replacement...

This is why we need 2 more teams / 4 more seats... Too many good drivers out there.

Slow news day to spend 9 minutes for something that can answered with "no"

Sooooo, this is just a 9 minute ad for an energy drink then? Intentional or not.

I’ve heard Hakkinen is on Mercedes radar after deciding he’s keen to return from his sabbatical

I'm all for Vettel driving a Merc....!

Given he will almost certainly drive Le Mans with Porsche, it’ll be more likely he will return to Audi and help them develop the car. Or go towards WEC where the calendar isn’t as stuffed as F1

The Race somehow managed to turn Vettel talking to Wolff about the weather to an Alonso hit piece after they made a trial by media vid about him because Russel made a boo-boo.

No... Don't give me hope

I’ve always thought hulkennburg would make a low cost low risk option for a year or two

Vettel is better off in WEC in a Porsche. Unless he goes to a team with a top 2 car in F1 it’s not really worth it IMO.

This channel is the gold standard for F1 journalism. Long may it continue.

Bravo for stringing together 9 minutes of pointless blather. You’ve dropped an impeccable deuce right here 👌 can smell it from New York. well done

How about seeing Vettel standing on top step of podium at LeMans in a German Manufacturers car? A Porsche

"a front running team like mercedes" lol

Vettel in WEC would be way more amazing than F1. He had a heartfelt farewell in 2022. He's a person who can appreciate those moments. WEC is the next frontier for him.

Crazy with so many young drivers and Sainz on market

what a load of waffle

5:15 "This is a great story for F1" -- The only problem is that it isn't a story

Would be funny if Antonelli goes to Mercedes next year and when Hamilton retires, replaces him in Ferrari again

Edd Straw giving a 37 year old world champion F1 driver grief over his age is laughable. keep off the donuts, Edd.

Vettel is definitely not coming back but BBC Sports had a breaking alert earlier today about this. If he comes back then you lot will make a clown out of yourselves with this video.

Hamilton insinuating that Alonso is too negative is pretty ironic given his own comments about the team the past couple years

Talking about age when looking at Alonso as a possibility is crazy work

2:00 Hope he's also referring to Ocon

Slow news day, huh... This could've been a community post...

I hear there's a possibility of a Prost return. Make a video about THAT.

Ironically, the very end of the video about Antonelli is why I think Seb might be the perfect choice. Who else might agree to a 1 year contract to keep the seat warm for a rookie? Not anyone already in F1, that's for sure. With Seb, you get a quality driver that knows the ins and outs and someone who can mentor Antonelli to make the step up. Seb is the perfect guy right now for when you need a selfless, team player.

If Antonelli is Mercedes‘ driver for the future but they decide he needs another year of F2, I think Vettel is the vastly more realistic stopgap for one year than Alonso or Sainz. I can’t see these two agreeing to being a one year stopgap before being replaced by Antonelli, however I can see Vettel agreeing to such a deal to show everyone he’s still got it and maybe get a seat somewhere else.

Theres a logjam of young drivers hungry to reach F1, and all F1 keeps doing is digging up former drivers to come back? Hulk, KMag, Alonso a while back, Danny Ric ... now Seb?

That's utter nonsense. It would be hypocritical of Wolfe too with his backing of Mick Schumacher. What happen to him? Why won't he give him the chance if he built him up so much? eh? Alonso to Red Bull in 2025 instead. Why would Alonso want to switch to a slower team? Mercedes is a mess. They have no clue with their chassis design. They may be winless for 2024. This year will be RB, Ferrari, and McLaren for the podiums.

Yet we all said Hamilton will never go to Ferrari........Or Oscar snubbing Alpine for Mclaren

Bro just drove a WEC Porsche Hypercar...he aint comin back

What is with all the vettel hate????

Man he’s really trying do follow on schumaker’s steps😂

Its always raining in Suzuka lol

Nope. He's drifting towards WEC.

Its just got to the stage where almost every other driver is being considered for the Audi positions.

Lol F1 drivers being media milkers is no suprise

No top team would want Vettel. He was great in his early career and dropped him form long before he retired. More like publicity for his drink and his other activities

WEC & consultant at Williams from 2026 projecting

I thought Hamilton Alonso and Vettel were all part of an investment group looking at buying Williams?

I would rather see Vettel race with Porsche in WEC.

This is claickbait nonsense’s. Vettel wouldn’t touch that monstrosity of engineering with a 10 foot pole. Why go to Merc to lose? Seems silly to even make a 9 minute video on.

I just think it’s a little a disrespectful to say that Vettel isn’t a good candidate anymore…

Seb is the guy who gave feedback to AM before they shot up the grid. Im sure Toto sees this

We miss Seb

Calling mercedes a “front running team” is laughable at this point

I've had an imaginative bet on Sainz to retire 1st at a generous 20/1. I can't believe the Italians will keep allowing him to beat Charlie boy.

He was referring to Russel

He's not daft, loads of people have heard about his energy drink now

Can easily see Antonelli get the seat next year. Even if he doesn't win the F2 championship. Got the feeling Toto sees him just like Verstappen before Max joined F1 and I doubt he'll want to repeat history and lose another prodigy of a driver. Because I'd bet a few years struggling with the Williams may zap his competitive drive, especially if Mercedes gets a short term driver like Alonso. Then if Alonso thrives and say wins next year. What do you do then? Sack Russell to make room for Antonelli before he wastes to much time at Williams. Honestly gambling on Antonelli in the Merc his first season is the best option, especially if they can at least deliver a podium threat car consistently. It would give a accurate measure of his skill and adaptability in a good/almost great car.

As much as I'd love to see Vettel come back, I don't think we'll see it.

im amazed that a lot is being spoken about Kimi (although I see his potential and skill), when they have another young driver in the form of Frederik Vesti, nobody has spoken about him getting the chance for either Mercedes, or as you suggested with Antonelli, to put him into the Williams seat. I then ask - does he have no chance for any seat even though he is the reserve and testing driver for Mercedes at the moment? He has atleast delivered results in F2, which for the moment still is an unknown about Kimi

Vettle has a billion dollar brain, it was development direction in 22 what made the aston in to a front runner at the start of 23

There's so little going on on-track that we're scraping the bottom of the barrel like this. Damn...

I would love to see Alonso goes to Redbull against Max, Sainz to Aston and Kimi antoneli to Mercedes.

This silly season of F1 just got a whole new level sillier 😂

What's going on is people blowing something up out of proportion. It's on brand with what we're seeing with Mercedes these days.

Some hopes are not to be toyed with.

This year is so interesting. Most conversations are about what will happen in 2025. 😂

To see him help Penske Porsche make an F1 entry, kind of like how Schumacher helped Mercedes would be pretty awesome!

Toto is a weirdo who has his own priorities and i don't think either Seb or Alonso would end up in Merc.

I’m surprised The Race didn’t somehow find an excuse to make this another article or video slamming Alonso.

How is Merc putting Antonelli in their car any different to McLaren going with Piastri? Mercedes are a top team, with incredible resources but they look no closer to winning a championship than McLaren were in 2022.

The rookie would seem like a terrible choice for Mercedes. They should take Carlos for maybe a year, then Albon.

Not sure the Vettel we saw at Aston Martin would be much use to Mercedes

"front running team like mercedes" can we seriously keep on calling them that with a straight face? they havent been running at the front in over 2 years its possible, likely even, that the finish 4th, behind a customer team this year.

In order I think:- Sainz Alonso Albon Ocon Then Antonelli for a Williams for a couple of years

Merc needs someone experienced for 2-3 years while Antonelli develops at Williams. Who else are they going to get that is better than Vettel and/or Alonso for that reason? Cannot see a better fit? They are all in on George for the other seat.

Alonso and Albon. Those are the two options Period. Antonelli is starting at Williams replacement for Logan

Sad Mick isn’t even in the conversation

Kimi has zero marketing appeal next to Vettel or Alonso. It's not just about how well you can drive but are you marketable.

I’m waiting for Rosberg to announce his return tbh

Vettel or Hulkenburg would be my choices for that seat. Both great drivers, and of course, both German 👌🏻

No one on UKposts really knows who will drive for whom, but IMHO, the likley order it will be decided (at least behind the scenes) is the following: 1. Can Toto convince Max to jump ship a year too soon? 2. If 1 is "yes", who do RB bring into the team to be their number one driver, Sainz or Alonso? 3. Who do RB decide to name as their number two driver, Sainz, Alonso, Perez or Riccardo? 4. Who do Merc decide to name as their second driver, assuming Max turns down the move? 5. Can Aston secure Alonso for another year or do they need to bring in someone else? (If Alonso leaves them hanging long enough this could be decided earlier.) 6. Who will RB Jr. have as their number one driver (with Lawson likely already confirmed internally as their number two). 7. Who are the winners and losers at musical chairs at Alpine, Williams, Stake and Haas? 8. Does Stroll finally succeed in injuring himself badly enough so he doesn’t have to return to the F1 car daddy bought for him.

Hot Take here but these comebacks are getting old and no I'm not referring to Vettel's age.

Sebastian in 2022 was at his finest, the car however, was another story. True there are young drivers, but what Mercedes need is a performance engineer and a driver and that is precisely what Seb is, as admitted and admired by everyone at Aston Martin. It was his contribution of car development and feedback mind that gave Alonso and Aston the edge early last year and Aston has been that since. Sebastian Vettel is a legend of a sport as is Lewis, after Lewis Mercedes need someone who will help develop the car with knowledge, experience and with intelligence for George is not there yet which is what Seb & Lewis are. So, it'll be in the best interest of Mercedes to bring back Seb and it is in the best interest of Formula One that Seb returns as there're only two established icons in Formula One Seb & Lewis with Max and Charles in the making. So, Merc get him back for remain in the midfield, the choice is factual and simple.

Unpopular opinion: Kimi Antonelli is over hyped - why on earth Merc's seat would be his to loose?

You say things with such authority/assurance... were you sure Lewis was going to Ferrari before it happened? Categorically saying the Merc seat is Antonelli's to lose is wild

I would love to see him again in f1

Older people may be savvy but the reflexes go with age and I think driving in F1 is a younger man's game. It would be silly to come back for a year as it would take that long to get up to the speed of F1. I would like to see him in WEC racing.

I hope he comes back, i miss wathcing him spin all the time.

Buzzfeed of F1 journalism.

Vettel wasn't in the position to pick and choose when he left. Nothing has changed!

It’s a huge commitment to be on the road for forty some weeks in a year. I highly doubt Seb would even consider that.

If he comes back to racing I think WEC is more likely. Far less races and a Le mans win more likely.

Maybe bringing back old champs from retirement is Mercedes' good luck charm.

For sure that option is not Antonelli!

I'm for term limits in F1, say ten years? So many good young drivers now a days.